Returning to the scene of their UEFA EURO 2020 Final heartbreak against Italy for the first time, the Three Lions opened the scoring after 18 minutes through Lingard.

 

It was Lingard’s first goal for England in 1022 days and was just reward for a dominant first-half display from the hosts, who enjoyed 89 per cent of possession before the break but without adding to their tally.

 

But substitute Harry Kane made the result safe from the penalty spot on 72 minutes, scoring his 40th goal in just 63 caps for his country and becoming just the sixth player to reach that goal number in the process.

 

And Lingard made the result safe with his second of the game six minutes later before birthday boy Bukayo Saka rounded of his evening in style by heading home Lingard’s cross late on.

Living up to his promise before the game, Gareth Southgate made eleven changes to the team that started the Three Lions’ thumping 4-0 win over Hungary in Budapest on Thursday.

 

It was the first time the men’s national side had named a completely different starting XI from their last match since June 1982 as England looked to continue their perfect Group I record.

 

But despite fielding an all-new team, the hosts dominated possession from the off against a nation which have been beaten in all four previous international meetings.

 

Saka took no time at all to make an impact, winning England a foul in attacking territory inside five minutes but Kieran Trippier’s free-kick evaded all the white shirts.

 

Patrick Bamford, making his England debut on his 28th birthday, then came close to threading a pass through to Lingard only for Andorra’s goalkeeper to beat him to the ball.

 

Lingard turned provider on 16 minutes with a pull back to Saka but the Arsenal star - also celebrating his 20th birthday - fired his effort just wide before being ruled offside.

 

It appeared to be a matter of time before England broke the deadlock and it was no surprise when Lingard obliged two minutes later, controlling Saka’s cross before dragging the ball home.

The Manchester United forward celebrated his first goal for his country since 2018 with a Cristiano Ronaldo-esque jump and spin before finding the net again on 21 minutes.

 

Pouncing on a through ball from Bamford, Lingard hoisted a perfectly-weighted chip over Gomes Moreira in the Andorra goal but the effort was flagged for offside.

 

With 18-year-old Jude Bellingham running the show in midfield, England continued to look comfortable in possession and almost doubled their lead on the half hour mark.

 

Saka was the creator once again, collecting the ball on the left and curling a pass towards the back post that was just out of the reach of Bamford’s extended leg.

 

Andorra’s frustrations began to show just before the break as Marc Vales and Marc Rebes were both booked yet the scoreline remained 1-0 to Southgate’s men at the interval.

 

The second half continued to play out much like the first, with England retaining possession with ease before Bamford sliced the first real opportunity wide on 47 minutes.

Reece James decided to take a more direct route to goal two minutes later, driving a beautiful effort from 25 yards against the crossbar with Andorra keeper Moreira well beaten.

 

And Lingard went close again on 55 minutes, latching onto a Bamford knock down before shanking his effort over the bar, before a low Bellingham cross soon after was not capitalised on.

 

As the hour mark passed, Southgate acted by making a triple substitution as Kane, Jack Grealish and Mount were all introduced for Bamford, James and Bellingham.

 

The replacements quickly made their presence felt. Kane and Mount combined to find Lingard, who slid the ball through for Saka but his lofted effort was smothered - and he was flagged offside.

 

It was then Grealish’s turn to show his class with a probing run before finding Mount, who weaved his way through the box before being brought down for a penalty by Christian Garcia.

 

Kane stepped up and slammed his penalty to the keeper’s right to score for the 14th consecutive qualifier and bring himself level with Michael Owen for England goals.

 

Lingard then grabbed his second on 78 minutes, shifting the ball to his right foot and curling a dipping shot that bounced in front of Moreira and past his flailing dive.

 

But it was Saka who had the final say for the Three Lions, with the winger rising to head home Lingard’s cross to round off a comprehensive second-half display.

 

England (4-3-3): 1 Sam Johnstone (West Bromwich Albion), 2 Reece James (Chelsea), 5 Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers), 6 Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), 3 Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid); 8 Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), 4 Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), 7 Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund); 11 Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), 9 Patrick Bamford (Leeds United), 10 Jesse Lingard (Manchester United). 

 

Substitutes: 20 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) for Bamford 62’, 19 Mason Mount (Chelsea) for James 62’, 23 Jack Grealish (Manchester City) for Bellingham 62’

 

Substitutes not used: 12 Kyle Walker (Manchester City), 13 Nick Pope (Burnley), 14 Luke Shaw (Manchester United), 15 John Stones (Manchester City), 16 Harry Maguire (Manchester United), 17 Declan Rice (West Ham United), 18 Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United), 21 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), 22 Jordan Pickford (Everton),

 

Goals: Lingard 18’, Kane 72’, Lingard 78’, Saka 85’

 

Bookings: Mings

 

Andorra (5-4-1): 1 Gomes Moreira; 18 Jesus Rubio Gomez, 20 Llovera Gonzalez, 3 Marc Vales Gonzalez, 14 Christian Garcia Gonzalez, 15 San Nicolas; 10 Clemente Garces, 4 Marc Rebes Ruiz, 23 Jordi Rubio; 9 Snaches Alburquerque; 8 Vieria de Vaconcelos

 

Substitutes: 19 Fernandez Betriu for Alburquerque 66’, 21 Garcia Renom for Rubio 74’, 16 Martinez Palau for Garces 75’, 6 Lima Sola for de Vaconcelos 86’

 

Substitutes not used: 2 Martinez Alejo, 5 Garcia Miramontes, 7 Vieira de Vasconcelos, 11 Moreno Marin, 12 Alvarez de Eulate Molne, 13 Pires Costa, 17 Cervos Moro, 22 Bernaz Cuadros

 

Bookings: Vales 38’, Rebes 45’, Rubio 65’, Garcia 71’, Gomez 90+2’