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England hit 10 in San Marino to book World Cup spot

England qualified for the World Cup in record-breaking style as Harry Kane scored four times in a 10-0 demolition of San Marino that ranked as the Three Lions’ biggest ever victory in a competitive match.

Needing a draw from their last Group I qualifier to reach next year’s tournament in Qatar, England went goal crazy on Monday as they scored 10 in a single game for the first time since a 1964 friendly against the United States.

Harry Maguire put Gareth Southgate’s side in front early on before Filippo Fabbri’s own goal doubled England’s lead.

England captain Kane took centre-stage after that, scoring four before the break to rewrite the record books.

Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe notched his first senior international goal in his maiden start.

Tyrone Mings headed his first England goal after San Marino’s Dante Rossi was sent off, before Tammy Abraham and Bukayo Saka completed their country’s record-breaking win.

Kane has scored 16 goals in 2021 for England, setting a calendar year record for the Three Lions as he surpassed the 12-goal tallies of George Hilsdon in 1908 and Dixie Dean in 1927.

The 28-year-old moved level with Gary Lineker on 48 England goals, with only Bobby Charlton (49) and Wayne Rooney (53) above him.

Kane is the first England player to score four times in a single game since Ian Wright against San Marino in 1993.

After bagging a hat-trick in Friday’s 5-0 win over Albania, Kane is the first England player to score three or more in successive games since Tommy Taylor in 1957.

Southgate’s men ended a memorable 2021 on a fitting high note after they reached the Euro 2020 final in July — missing out on a first trophy since 1966 in a painful penalty shoot-out against Italy.

Group winners England finished the qualifying campaign unbeaten in their 10 matches.

They will head to Qatar in 12 months established as one of the main contenders to win the World Cup.

Ruthless Kane

San Marino famously scored after just eight seconds against England in a qualifier 28 years ago.

But there was never any danger of similar embarrassment for Southgate’s team as they took the lead in the sixth minute against a woeful San Marino team bottom of FIFA’s world rankings.

Phil Foden’s corner reached Maguire and he rose highest to score with a powerful header, making it two goals in two games for the defender.

With San Marino completely out of their depth, England struck again in the 15th minute.

Maguire’s pass found Saka, who cut in from the left-hand side of the San Marino area and drilled a low shot that deflected in off Fabbri’s out-stretched boot.

Kane’s goal-spree started in the 27th minute after Rossi put his hand up to get the slightest of touches on Foden’s scissor kick, leading to a penalty that the Tottenham striker stroked in with ease.

England showed no mercy and Kane got his second in the 31st minute, guiding Smith Rowe’s cross into the bottom corner.

Eight minutes later, Kane’s header was blocked by Alessandro D’Addario’s arm and he smashed the resulting spot-kick high into the top corner for his fifth England hat-trick.

Kane grabbed his fourth in the 42nd minute, weaving through the shambolic San Marino defence to slot home.

It was the first time England had scored six in the first half since 1946.

Smith Rowe got the seventh with a predatory finish in the 58th minute.

After Rossi’s red card for tripping Conor Gallagher, Mings headed in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick in the 69th minute.

Abraham made it nine in the 78th minute and, with England fans chanting “we want 10”, Saka obliged with a close-range header 60 seconds later.

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Azurri flops in World Cup qualifying

Antrim , United Kingdom - 15 November 2021; Manuel Locatelli of Italy during the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifier match between Northern Ireland and Italy at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast. (Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Italy could go from winning Euro 2020 to missing the 2022 World Cup in the span of just a few months.

The Azzurri failed to secure a direct ticket to next year’s World Cup, dropping into the playoff round after shooting blanks in Monday’s 0-0 draw in Northern Ireland.

Switzerland powered past Bulgaria 4-0 to knock Roberto Mancini’s side out of first place in Group C and claim an automatic berth in Qatar.

Italy famously missed the 2018 World Cup in Russia after falling to Sweden in the playoffs. Its last appearance in the tournament came in Brazil in 2014 when it failed to advance from the group stage.

The playoff draw will take place Nov. 26.

Twelve teams – including the 10 runners-up from Europe’s first round of qualifying and the two best group winners from the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League – will vie for the final three qualification berths.

The teams will be divided into three groups of four and play one-off semifinals and a final to determine the best of each lot.

Portugal, Russia, Italy, and Scotland will make up four of the six seeded teams, with two yet to be determined.

Sweden, Poland, and North Macedonia will also take part in the draw as runners-up. Wales, currently in second in Group E, is likely to follow suit, with one of the Netherlands, Turkey, and Norway to finish in second place in Group G and one of Finland and Ukraine to drop down from Group D.

Austria will advance as one of the top-ranked teams from the Nations League, with the Czechs likely to follow if they can’t dislodge Wales from second place in Group E.

Italy will have flashbacks of the infamous goalless draw against Sweden in November 2017 that forced the four-time World Cup winner to miss the quadrennial tournament for the first time in decades.

It would be a far greater blow to national morale this time around. Just a few months ago, Italy won the Euros for the second time in its history following an intense penalty shootout against England at Wembley Stadium.

The Italians entered Monday’s qualifier at Windsor Park needing to match Switzerland’s result against Bulgaria. Starting without a recognized striker in the lineup, they struggled to break down Northern Ireland’s back five, often resorting to ineffective long balls.

Italy’s chances of direct qualification took a hit well before Monday’s stalemate. It succumbed to a 1-1 draw at home to Bulgaria in September before blowing a chance to beat Switzerland on Friday. Jorginho missed a late penalty in the latter match to deny his country a win that would’ve put it in a commanding position in Group C.

“We should have won against Bulgaria and had two penalties against Switzerland,” Mancini said. “These are games that could have finished in our favor. I’m completely confident about the playoffs.”

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Lewandowski hat-trick sends Germans through

Robert Lewandowski marked his 100th appearance in the Champions League with his 79th, 80th and 81st goals in the competition as Bayern Munich sealed their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League by beating Benfica 5-2 at the Allianz Arena.

Further goals from Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane secured the win and confirmed Bayern as winners of Group E with two games still remaining.

The victory, in what was Bayern’s 500th game across all European competitions, means Julian Nagelsmann’s men have won all four of their group games, and it is now between Benfica, Barcelona and Dynamo Kiev to fight it out for the remaining qualifying spot.

Benfica started brightly, with Pizzi forcing a save from Manuel Neuer in the first minute, before the visitors had a goal disallowed for offside against the same man in the 15th minute.

Lewandowski headed in a floated cross from Kingsley Coman at the back post to give Bayern the lead on 25 minutes on his milestone evening, and Gnabry doubled the lead six minutes later with a neat flick after a delightful ball over the top from Joshua Kimmich was pulled back by Lewandowski for the former Arsenal man to finish.

Morato headed in an Alex Grimaldo cross on 38 minutes to halve the deficit, before Lewandowski saw a tame penalty saved by Odysseas Vlachodimos just before half-time.

The Bundesliga champions restored their two-goal cushion early in the second half as Sane lashed in after Alphonso Davies headed the ball down to him, before Lewandowski bagged his second and third goals of the night either side of Darwin Nunez’s consolation for the visitors.

It was yet another evening in the Champions League when the rest of Europe will have been sweating over the imperious form of the Bavarians.

In their four Group E games, Bayern have scored 17 goals, conceding just twice. That is on top of the 38 goals they have bagged in just 10 outings in the Bundesliga this season.

Lewandowski became the sixth player to mark his 100th game in the competition with a goal, after Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andrea Pirlo and Toni Kroos.

However, the former Borussia Dortmund striker also missed his first Champions League penalty after 14 successful attempts, and became the first player to score, assist and miss a penalty in a Champions League game since Diego Costa in November 2013 (Atletico Madrid v Austria Vienna).

The Portuguese outfit have failed to beat Bayern in any of their 12 meetings in European competition, with nine of those ending in victories for the German side (D3).

Benfica have also conceded 35 goals in those 12 games while only scoring nine themselves.

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Ronaldo rescues Red Devils again

Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved Manchester United’s Champions League hero by scoring late on to rescue a crucial 2-2 draw at Atalanta on Tuesday.

The Portugal international completed United’s 3-2 comeback win against the same opponents from two goals down two weeks ago and also struck late on in September’s 2-1 recovery win against Villarreal.

Ronaldo’s latest rescue act arrived in the 91st minute at Gewiss Stadium when volleying in a sublime equaliser, having earlier struck to cancel out Josip Ilicic’s opener before Duvan Zapata put Atalanta back in front.

The draw keeps Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side top of Group F, level on points with Villarreal and two better off than Atalanta with two group games remaining, meaning their last-16 fate remains in their own hands.

After United had hit the post through a deflected Scott McTominay drive, Atalanta took the lead when Zapata pulled the ball back for Ilicic, whose shot squirmed under David de Gea – the goal allowed to stand after a VAR check for a possible Mario Pasalic offside infringement.

United lost Raphael Varane to injury before half-time, but the introduction of Mason Greenwood paid immediate dividends as he linked up with Bruno Fernandes, who in turn flicked the ball into the path of Ronaldo to fire home his first of the game.

Atalanta restored their lead when Zapata got in behind down United’s right, evaded a sliding challenge from Harry Maguire and finished past De Gea. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but VAR rightly overturned that decision after a two-minute check to determine Zapata was indeed onside.

That left United on the brink of a fourth successive away defeat in the European Cup for the first time ever, only for Ronaldo to once again bail out his side by firing a first-time shot into the bottom-left corner after a loose ball popped up into his path with time almost up.

With Villarreal on their way to a 2-0 win over Young Boys, United found themselves third in Group F with seconds remaining in Bergamo and yet more questions inevitably being asked of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

While Ronaldo’s brace does not entirely lift the pressure off Solskjaer’s shoulders, it does at least mean United remain top of their group with two games – away to Villarreal and at home to Young Boys – left to play.

Solskjaer could have had few complaints had his side fallen to just a second defeat in their past 12 games against Italian opposition in the Champions League – Atalanta had an expected goals value of 1.55 compared to United’s 1.04 – but with Ronaldo on the field anything is possible.

Ronaldo became the first player to score in four successive Champions League appearances for United since Ruud van Nistelrooy in April 2003 with his opener, which was a well-worked team goal involving Greenwood and Fernandes.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner added an even better second from range and in the process overtook manager Solskjaer’s tally of goals in all competitions for United with his 126th for the club, doing so in 63 fewer appearances.

United were once again shaky in defence and midfield, with the likes Maguire, De Gea and Paul Pogba in particular having off-days – the latter being replaced 20 minutes from time with his side chasing a goal.

The Red Devils have now failed to keep a clean sheet in 14 of their past 15 Champions League matches and have conceded in 13 of their 15 matches in all competitions this term.

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Steve Bruce leaves Newcastle by mutual consent after winless start

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Newcastle manager Steve Bruce gives the thumbs up to the crowd prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on October 17, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Steve Bruce has left his position as Newcastle head coach by mutual consent.

Bruce, 60, was never accepted by the Toon faithful following his appointment in 2019 and the only surprise is the club’s new owners did not remove him as soon as they took control.

Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Tottenham in the first game since the Mike Ashley era ended left the Magpies winless in the Premier League and staring down the barrel of a relegation battle.  

Minority owner Amanda Staveley praised Bruce for his professionalism in their dealings prior to that clash.

But with the transfer window closed until January and 12 league matches scheduled before then, the club will hope a new face can inject fresh life into the squad.

Despite the difficulties he has faced, Bruce insists he was grateful to be given the opportunity at St James’ Park.

He said: “I am grateful to everyone connected with Newcastle United for the opportunity to manage this unique football club.

“I would like to thank my coaching team, the players and the support staff in particular for all their hard work. 

“There have been highs and lows but they have given everything even in difficult moments and should be proud of their efforts. 

“This is a club with incredible support and I hope the new owners can take it forward to where we all want it to be. 

“I wish everyone the very best of luck for the rest of this season and beyond.”

Despite being a boyhood Newcastle fan, replacing Rafael Benitez, a previous spell in charge of Sunderland and a turgid style of football meant Bruce was never accepted by the Newcastle faithful.

Since the return of capacity crowds at the start of the season, Toon supporters have made their feelings clear with regular chants for the former Manchester United defender to be sacked.

Assistant boss Graeme Jones will take the team on an interim basis with the Magpies confirming the process to appoint a new head coach has already begun.

They travel to Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

Bruce had guided the Toon Army to 13th in his first season in charge before finishing 12th last term — and Sunday’s clash with Tottenham was his 1,000th match as a manager.

Speaking following confirmation of the takeover two weeks ago, he was at peace with the fact he may lose his job.

Bruce said: “I want to continue, I’d like the chance to show the new owners what I can do, but you have to be realistic and they may well want a new manager to launch things for them.

“New owners normally want a new manager. I’ve been around long enough to understand that.

“That decision is not up to me. I accept that and I will accept what comes my way.”

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Mohamed Salah seals dramatic win

Mohamed Salah made history by scoring in a ninth successive match for Liverpool to earn the Reds a dramatic 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid, who had two-goal Antoine Griezmann sent off and a late penalty contentiously overturned.

In-form forward Salah opened the scoring inside eight minutes in Tuesday’s breathless Champions League tie before Naby Keita volleyed in a second five minutes later as the visitors took complete control at Wanda Metropolitano.

That was the earliest Atletico had gone two goals down in a Champions League match, though they hit back before half-time through Griezmann’s double.

Griezmann was sent off early in the second half for a high boot on Roberto Firmino and Liverpool made the man advantage count when Salah scored a second of his own from the penalty spot.

Liverpool, who were given a late reprieve when a penalty awarded for Diogo Jota’s shove on Jose Gimenez was overruled following a check of the pitchside monitor, now hold a five-point lead over Atletico and Porto at the top of Group B.

At 29 years and 130 days, Liverpool fielded their oldest starting line-up in a match since September 1953 and their experience showed in a fast start that saw them open the scoring early on.

Salah’s left-footed shot from outside the box took a deflection on its way past Jan Oblak and was later credited to the Egypt forward after some initial confusion over who the final touch came off.

Atleti continued to be pushed back and they found themselves two goals behind soon after when Felipe’s poor defensive header fell nicely for Keita to thump home with a dipping first-time shot from 18 yards.

But the home side soon settled and were back in the game thanks to a slight touch from Griezmann to help Koke’s shot into the bottom-left corner, the goal allowed to stand after a lengthy VAR check for a possible offside in the build-up.

Griezmann was then denied by Alisson when played clean through on goal, but the France international made amends by taking Joao Felix’s pass in his stride and coolly slotting past the Liverpool goalkeeper.

Alisson and Oblak continued to be called into action in a frantic end-to-end match, but momentum shifted back in Liverpool’s favour with 52 minutes played with Griezmann’s straight red card.

Jurgen Klopp’s side made a spell of pressure count 12 minutes from time as Mario Hermoso barged into Jota inside the box and Salah, who missed a penalty against Milan in Liverpool’s opening group match, buried the spot-kick.

There was still time for more drama in the Spanish capital, with referee Daniel Siebert pointing to the spot for Jota’s challenge on Gimenez, but the decision was controversially overturned before substitute Luis Suarez could step up and take the penalty.

2+1 – Antoine Griezmann is the first player in UEFA Champions League history to score twice and be sent off. Comedown.

Liverpool had failed to beat Atletico in their previous four Champions League meetings prior to this thriller – only Basel had they faced more often without winning in their proud European Cup history. The Reds did it the hard way after giving up their lead, but maintained their record of scoring at least three times away from home in every away game this term – a run that now spans seven matches – and they now have one foot in the last 16 thanks to their five-point buffer at the top.

Salah’s incredible individual strike against Watford at the weekend saw him match Sam Raybould (1902-03), John Aldridge (1987-88) and Daniel Sturridge (2013-14) in scoring in eight successive games for Liverpool. He now holds the record outright with his latest strikes, with his double meaning he has also now scored in six straight away matches for the Premier League side in Europe.

Griezmann has taken his time to get going since returning from Barcelona but had a huge say in this game, with his brace the sixth he has managed for the club in the Champions League – no other Atleti player has managed more than two.

However, his red card for a perceived high boot proved pivotal. Griezmann had every right to feel aggrieved as he had his eyes on a looping ball and did not see Firmino, whom he caught in the face, but he nevertheless became the first player in Champions League history to score twice and also be sent off in the same match.

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Lionel Messi scores twice to complete comeback

Lionel Messi scored twice in the space of seven minutes as Paris Saint-Germain grabbed a 3-2 victory over RB Leipzig in a thrilling Champions League encounter.

Kylian Mbappe had fired PSG into a ninth-minute lead, yet Andre Silva deservedly pulled Leipzig level in what was another laboured and imbalanced performance from PSG on Tuesday.

Shorn of the injured Neymar, Mauricio Pochettino’s team looked set to be punished when Nordi Mukiele scored Leipzig’s second to put them ahead just prior to the hour at Parc des Princes.

However, Messi was on hand to stem Leipzig’s hopes of a first Champions League win of the campaign with a somewhat fortuitous finish, before the former Barcelona superstar chipped home the winner from the penalty spot.

Mbappe slammed a second penalty high over the bar in stoppage time, though PSG still moved to the top of Group A.

Preferred to Gianluigi Donnarumma, Keylor Navas had to be alert early on, denying Konrad Laimer and then Silva.

But PSG struck first as Julian Draxler fed Mbappe who, after isolating Willi Orban, wrongfooted Peter Gulacsi with a superb low finish to cap off a supreme counter-attack.

Silva was inches away from restoring parity with a fantastic volley that clattered off the post, though PSG’s luck ran out when the Portugal forward stole in unmarked to tuck in Angelino’s cross.

PSG’s defensive frailties were exposed again after the restart – Angelino whipping in another fantastic cross that was side-footed home by his fellow wing-back Mukiele.

Yet Leipzig’s hard work was undone when Mbappe latched onto a loose ball and turned it back for Messi. His shot was palmed onto the post, but he followed in to nudge home on the line.

The turnaround was complete in the 74th minute. With Mbappe having drawn a clumsy push from Mohamed Simakan, Messi stepped up to send a Panenka down the middle from 12 yards.

Messi seemed all set to round off his hat-trick when a second spot-kick was awarded PSG’s way for a foul on Achraf Hakimi, only for Mbappe to take it instead, with the France forward blazing over.

With Leipzig dominating after their second goal, Pochettino brought on Danilo Pereira and switched to a back three. 

The change in shape worked, matching their opponents and freeing up Messi to play alongside Mbappe, with the two working in tandem to level proceedings.

Defensively, PSG were far too porous, allowing 18 attempts on their goal. However, they had the quality up top to pull through, while Jesse Marsch’s Leipzig sit bottom of Group A, and seem almost certain to be heading out.

Messi makes the difference

While Messi’s first PSG goal – a sublime strike in the win over Manchester City – was of the calibre you would expect from the world’s greatest player, his second effort was rather scrappier, with Gulacsi making a mess of getting the first shot away.

Messi’s third goal, however, displayed all the quality and composure the mercurial 34-year-old has at his disposal. He is level with Mauro Icardi and Neymar in terms of PSG players with the most Champions League goals in their first three appearances in the competition, but really, he should have been given the opportunity to move clear in that regard.

Mbappe adds sour note with dreadful spot-kick

It would be wrong to suggest Mbappe had a poor game. In fact, alongside Marco Verratti, he was probably PSG’s best player. His opener was a sensational finish, and brought up his 40th direct goal involvement in the Champions League for the Parisians.

He then won PSG’s first penalty, after setting up the goal that made it 2-2, but perhaps his ego got the better of him when he denied Messi the chance of a hat-trick. There were no protestations from his legendary team-mate, though if he is going to pull rank in such a situation, he had to at least hit the target.

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Palmer nets as slick visitors win big

Teenage midfielder Cole Palmer scored his first Champions League goal as Manchester City produced a slick performance to secure a 5-1 win over Club Brugge in Belgium.

Full-backs Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker both found themselves on the scoresheet, the former scoring the first on the half-hour mark with a composed finish from Phil Foden’s pass.

Riyad Mahrez calmly tucked a penalty away before half-time and, soon after the restart, Walker got in on the action, drilling into the bottom-left corner after Kevin De Bruyne – playing in his home country – set him up.

Palmer struck within three minutes of coming off the bench, taking a neat touch before rifling a left-footed effort past Simon Mignolet from just inside the area.

While captain Hans Vanaken grabbed a late consolation for Brugge, a controlled outing for City was capped by Mahrez scoring his second of the night.

City started with plenty of intent, seeing two goals ruled out before full-back Cancelo opened the scoring with a centre-forward’s finish, taking Foden’s ball over the top on his chest and prodding through the legs of Mignolet.

There were ugly scenes as the Portugal international celebrated by the corner flag, with projectiles thrown towards him and his City team-mates by Club Brugge fans.

Stanley N’Soki tripped Mahrez just inside the box and the Algeria winger dusted himself off to take the spot-kick, which he slotted coolly into the bottom-left corner, sending Mignolet the wrong way to give the visitors a deserved 2-0 lead shortly before the break.

The third came eight minutes into the second half as City’s other full-back, Walker, made a smart run into the box and lashed a low effort across goal to finish off a neat team move.

De Bruyne was received warmly by the home faithful as Pep Guardiola replaced the Belgian with 19-year-old Palmer, and the substitute promptly added a fourth, lashing inside the left-hand post on 67 minutes after being found by Raheem Sterling.

Vanaken found the bottom-right corner to deny Ederson a clean sheet with nine minutes of normal time remaining, but Mahrez responded with City’s fifth just three minutes later, racing in behind and steering the ball into the top-right corner to round off the scoring, with Fernandinho getting the assist.

City suffered a blow in their quest to finish top when they lost 2-0 to Paris Saint-Germain on matchday two. However, last season’s Champions League finalists clicked into gear tonight and looked very impressive, despite losing their clean sheet towards the end.

This is the 19th time a Pep Guardiola side has scored five or more goals in a Champions League match, more than twice as many times as any other managers’ sides have done so (Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson, eight).

Mahrez’s composed penalty and late strike mean that the winger now has five goals in just three Champions League appearances against Club Brugge – his best record against a single opponent in the competition.

It is also a continuation of the Algerian’s excellent form in the Champions League, taking him to seven goals in his last seven appearances in the tournament.

Palmer has become only the third teenager to score in the Champions League for Manchester City after Foden and Kelechi Iheanacho.

Aged 19 years and 166 days, Palmer is the 10th youngest Englishman to score in the competition.

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Vinicius shines as talk cruise

Vinicius Junior scored twice as Real Madrid got their Champions League campaign back on track with a commanding 5-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Having suffered a shock defeat by Sheriff last time out in Group D, Carlo Ancelotti’s men endured no such difficulties at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.

Sergey Krivtsov’s own goal got the ball rolling for the visitors seven minutes before half-time, while Vinicius’ quickfire double put them in control after the break.

Further strikes from Rodrygo and Karim Benzema completed the rout as coach Ancelotti claimed his fifth straight victory over Donetsk in this competition.

Despite a bright start at the scene of their 2018 Champions League final triumph over Liverpool, Madrid had a scare in the 23rd minute.

Indeed, Ferland Mendy was forced to clear Ismaily’s dangerous cross with Mateus Tete lurking for a tap-in.

But it was the 13-time European champions who hit the front in extremely fortuitous circumstances after 37 minutes, as Lucas Vazquez’s hopeful ball towards Benzema was sliced beyond his own goalkeeper by skipper Krivtsov.

Benzema was involved again as Madrid doubled their lead within six minutes of the start of the second half. After Donetsk were caught in possession from a throw-in, the skipper found Luka Modric, whose perfectly weighted first-time ball was delicately finished by Vinicius.

The Brazilian grabbed his second in emphatic fashion just five minutes later.

Receiving the ball from Benzema on the left flank, he embarked on a jinking run into the heart of the hosts’ defence before sweeping the ball past Anatolii Trubin.

Vinicius then turned provider in the 65th minute, demonstrating tremendous vision to cut the ball back for Rodrygo to thump into the roof of the net. Benzema completed the scoring with a neat finish in the dying moments of the contest.

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Palmer nets as slick visitors win big

Teenage midfielder Cole Palmer scored his first Champions League goal as Manchester City produced a slick performance to secure a 5-1 win over Club Brugge in Belgium.

Full-backs Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker both found themselves on the scoresheet, the former scoring the first on the half-hour mark with a composed finish from Phil Foden’s pass.

Riyad Mahrez calmly tucked a penalty away before half-time and, soon after the restart, Walker got in on the action, drilling into the bottom-left corner after Kevin De Bruyne – playing in his home country – set him up.

Palmer struck within three minutes of coming off the bench, taking a neat touch before rifling a left-footed effort past Simon Mignolet from just inside the area.

While captain Hans Vanaken grabbed a late consolation for Brugge, a controlled outing for City was capped by Mahrez scoring his second of the night.

City started with plenty of intent, seeing two goals ruled out before full-back Cancelo opened the scoring with a centre-forward’s finish, taking Foden’s ball over the top on his chest and prodding through the legs of Mignolet.

There were ugly scenes as the Portugal international celebrated by the corner flag, with projectiles thrown towards him and his City team-mates by Club Brugge fans.

Stanley N’Soki tripped Mahrez just inside the box and the Algeria winger dusted himself off to take the spot-kick, which he slotted coolly into the bottom-left corner, sending Mignolet the wrong way to give the visitors a deserved 2-0 lead shortly before the break.

The third came eight minutes into the second half as City’s other full-back, Walker, made a smart run into the box and lashed a low effort across goal to finish off a neat team move.

Vanaken found the bottom-right corner to deny Ederson a clean sheet with nine minutes of normal time remaining, but Mahrez responded with City’s fifth just three minutes later, racing in behind and steering the ball into the top-right corner to round off the scoring, with Fernandinho getting the assist.

City suffered a blow in their quest to finish top when they lost 2-0 to Paris Saint-Germain on matchday two. However, last season’s Champions League finalists clicked into gear tonight and looked very impressive, despite losing their clean sheet towards the end.

This is the 19th time a Pep Guardiola side has scored five or more goals in a Champions League match, more than twice as many times as any other managers’ sides have done so (Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson, eight).

Mahrez’s composed penalty and late strike mean that the winger now has five goals in just three Champions League appearances against Club Brugge – his best record against a single opponent in the competition.

It is also a continuation of the Algerian’s excellent form in the Champions League, taking him to seven goals in his last seven appearances in the tournament.

Palmer has become only the third teenager to score in the Champions League for Manchester City after Foden and Kelechi Iheanacho.

Aged 19 years and 166 days, Palmer is the 10th youngest Englishman to score in the competition.