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Kane nets hat trick as England seals Euro 2020 spot

Nov 14, 2019 | 4:32 PM

LONDON — Harry Kane scored a first-half hat trick as England secured qualification for the 2020 European Championship with a 7-0 victory over Montenegro in the team’s 1,000th game on Thursday.

The landmark night was completed by Tammy Abraham’s first England goal.

England will be back at Wembley at the finals, with three group-stage games at the national stadium which is one of 12 venues being used by UEFA in 12 cities across Europe.

The semifinals and final are also at Wembley in July 2020.

The first task for Gareth Southgate’s side was securing a place in the draw later this month after clinching top spot in qualifying from Group A.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sent England in front in the 11th minute after being set up by the first of Ben Chilwell’s three assists. The left back’s next two — a free kick and corner — were completed by Kane’s headers.

After Marcus Rashford netted on the half-hour, Kane completed his second consecutive Wembley hat trick with a close-range finish in the 37th minute to take his England haul to 31 goals.

After a flood of goals in the first half, the Montenegro net was only breached after the break by Aleksandar Sofranac’s own-goal and Abraham in the 84th.

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The Associated Press