England have cruised to a 5-0 half-time lead against San Marino in tonight's World Cup qualifier in Serravalle.

© Owen Humphreys / PA Photos

The visitors nearly took the lead with nine minutes on the clock, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's lofted effort came back off the crossbar.

However, England went ahead in fortunate circumstances just two minutes later as Alessandro Della Valle steered Leighton Baines's cross into his own net.

Oxlade-Chamberlain then made it 2-0 on 28 minutes when he converted after a neat exchange of passes with Wayne Rooney.

Jermain Defoe tapped in to extend England's advantage in the 34th minute before Ashley Young fired the ball in from 25 yards to get his side their fourth goal of the evening.

Frank Lampard completed an emphatic first half for the visitors on 41 minutes when he capitalised on a dummy from Rooney to slot home.

Written by
Jack Prescott