England strolled to a 5-0 win over Albania on Friday evening after Harry Kane bagged a first-half hat-trick.
A first sell-out Wembley crowd in two years witnessed a one-sided final home match of a memorable year in which the Three Lions went agonisingly close to winning the European Championship.
The Euro 2020 runners-up will get another shot at silverware next winter, barring an unthinkable turn of events, after running out comprehensive 5-0 victors against Albania under the arch.
Friday’s win means Southgate’s side only need to avoid defeat in San Marino – the world’s worst side – on Monday to confirm their place in Qatar, where the 2018 World Cup semi-finalists will be among the favourites.
England showed their quality in a ruthless, free-flowing first-half, with Harry Maguire sending a message to the critics when celebrating his headed opener at Wembley.
Kane has also been far from his best of late but the skipper put that right against Albania, scoring a perfect hat-trick as he followed up a headed opener with a left-footed strike and right-footed stoppage-time scissor kick.
The Tottenham striker moved on to a record 39 competitive goals for England and level in the all-time goalscoring rankings with the late, great Jimmy Greaves on 44.
Kane also provided the assist for Jordan Henderson’s goal in an outstanding first-half followed by a controlled second period as the Three Lions avoided exerting unnecessary energy in the penultimate match of a mammoth year.
Southgate spoke before this Group I clash of his desire for a response to last month’s poor 1-1 home draw against Hungary and named the most experienced starting line-up of his reign.
