World Cup Qualifiers: Gareth Southgate Hails Ollie Watkins "Fairytale" As England Rout San Marino

Gareth Southgate hailed Ollie Watkins' "fairytale" England debut after the Aston Villa striker scored in a 5-0 win towards San Marino in Thursday's opening World Cup qualifier. Simply 4 years in the past, Watkins was taking part in in English soccer's fourth tier with Exeter. The 25-year-old has loved a meteoric rise since then, becoming a member of Brentford in 2017 earlier than transferring to Villa final yr after ending as prime scorer within the Championship. He has scored 12 instances in his first marketing campaign with the Premier League membership, incomes a maiden England call-up and a debut towards minnows San Marino at Wembley.

With England 4 targets up due to Dominic Calvert-Lewin's brace, a primary worldwide purpose for James Ward-Prowse and Raheem Sterling's strike, Watkins got here on after 63 minutes.

Arrange by Phil Foden's move, Watkins scored along with his first shot in an England shirt with a cool low end.

Watkins' beaming face and the jubilant celebrations of his team-mates underlined what a particular second it was for a participant who has needed to combat his solution to the highest.

England boss Southgate recognised the importance of the second, saying: "The first thing you saw was the reaction from the rest of the team. That shows you how together they are. They know what it means for him. 

"He is settled in actually shortly with the group. He is a extremely humble boy and it was good to have the ability to give him half an hour or so. For him to get a purpose is fairytale is not it?"

Watkins once spent half a season on loan at non-league Weston-Super-Mare, making him all the more appreciative of his instant success with England.

"It is unbelievable, it is what I've dreamt about to be sincere. I am speechless," he said.

"It has been a superb journey. I simply really feel honoured that I can come out right here and pull on the shirt and get the prospect to play with the gamers I am taking part in with and even rating on my debut. I could not write it, I am over the moon."

Valuable lessons

Watkins was the stand-out story on a comfortable night for England, who would have won by far more if not for a fine display from San Marino keeper Elia Benedettini.

The San Marino match, Sunday's trip to Albania and Poland's visit to Wembley on Wednesday are all World Cup qualifiers, but they serve as vital warm-ups for the delayed Euro 2020, which starts in June.

Southgate's 50th game as England boss won't linger long in the memory given the paucity of the opposition, but he still learnt valuable lessons.

Calvert-Lewin's predatory finishes were instructive, while Jesse Lingard, Mason Mount and Ward-Prowse all caught the eye in midfield.

"I used to be actually happy with not solely the way in which we moved the ball shortly and the interchange of positions, however the way in which we pressed once we misplaced the ball highlighted the mentality of the group for the entire 90 minutes," Southgate said.

"Mason within the first half was wonderful, set the tone. Good to see Jesse appear to be he is having fun with his soccer once more, so I believed there have been a variety of good issues.

"Of course it's an opponent we should beat but I thought they went about their job really well."

Mount picked out Ben Chilwell's run into the penalty space and the left-back's move was confidently transformed by Ward-Prowse within the 14th minute.

Calvert-Lewin doubled England's lead within the twenty first minute because the Everton striker met Reece James' cross with a scientific far publish header.

Teed up by the influential Mount within the thirty first minute, Sterling obtained the third when he weaved into the six-yard field for a shot that deflected in off Dante Carlos Rossi.

Promoted

England had been properly on prime however they settled for simply two extra targets after the break.

Within the 53rd minute, Lingard's cross was swept dwelling by Calvert-Lewin and with seven minutes left Watkins drilled into the far nook.