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Stuart Kavanagh
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World Cup Qualifying: UEFA MD4 Night Two
Updated: Oct 12, 2021
FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
European qualifying rounds for the 2022 FIFA World Cup resumed overnight as matchday four continued. Groups B, C, E, I & J all had fixtures take place. For all the latest scores, tables, and a closer look at the match of the day, please read on.
HUNGARY vs ENGLAND
John Stones celebrated his 50th cap for the Three Lions and Harry Kane put club controversy behind him to continue his incredible streak of scoring in his countries last 13 qualifying matches (World Cup & Euros combined)
Things didn't go entirely to plan as England was not only met by a stubborn Hungarian defense but also faced with racist chants directed at Raheem Sterling and 18-year-old Jude Bellingham as he warmed up on the sidelines. The Three Lions were also heckled for taking a knee before kick-off to protest discrimination in what was a rough look for the Hungarian crowd.
The best chance of the half fell to Harry Kane, but he was thwarted by the elute presence of Peter Gulacsi. There was no reason to panic though, as England's dominance was betrayed by the 0-0 scoreline at halftime.
Not ten minutes into the second half, it was that man Raheem Sterling who put the exclamation point on the dominance of his side as he opened the scoring. He was met with abhorrent racist abuse from the home fans and pelted with cups as he displayed a heartfelt tribute to friend Steffie Greg who passed away at the age of only 26 earlier this week.
IMAGE COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES
The two Harry's (Kane and Maguire) added more misery to Hungary's waning defense before Declan Rice buried a long-range goal to secure a 4-0 victory and increase England's stranglehold at the top of Group I.
Elsewhere there were shocking results as Sweden defeated Euro 2020 semi-finalists Spain in Sweden and European Championship winners Italy were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Bulgaria.
RESULTS
Group B: Georgia 0-1 Kosovo, Sweden 2-1 Spain
Group C: Lithuania 1-4 Northern Ireland, Italy 1-1 Bulgaria
Group E: Estonia 2-5 Belgium, Czech Republic 1-0 Belarus
Group I: Andorra 2-0 San Marino, Hungary 0-4 England, Poland 4-1 Albania
Group J: Liechtenstein 0-2 Germany, N. Macedonia 0-0 Armenia, Iceland 0-2 Romania
TABLES
IMAGES COURTESY OF UEFA.COM
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