San Marino v England, 15 November 2021

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By avoiding defeat in this game, England qualified for their seventh consecutive FIFA World Cup finals; their longest ever such sequence. This became the Three Lions' biggest-ever competitive away win and their biggest win since a 10-0 victory in a friendly against USA at Downing Stadium in New York on 27 May 1964 when Roger Hunt scored four goals. Harry Kane had now created a new record for the most goals scored by a player for England in a year (16); previously 12 by George Hilsdon in 1908, Dixie Dean in 1927 and himself in 2019. Harry Kane became the first player to score hat-tricks in consecutive appearances for the Three Lions since Tommy Taylor in May 1957. Conor Gallagher became the 50th player to be given his England debut by manager Gareth Southgate. Following their final game of the year, the Three Lions had now scored 52 goals in 2021; more than in any other year (previous record was 39 in 1908). They had also won more games (15) and kept more clean sheets (14) in 2021 than in any previous year. England named eight of a possible 12 substitutes. England were awarded a penalty after 27 minutes following a VAR review for handball. Jude Bellingham scored after 71 minutes but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review due to a foul.