Raheem Sterling scored his first England hat trick in a 5-0 victory over the Czech Republic at the start of 2020 European Championship qualifying on Friday.

Harry Kane also netted a penalty and Tomas Kalas compounded the visitors' miserable night by scoring an own goal at Wembley Stadium as England made an emphatic start to its bid to qualify for a tournament it is largely hosting.

Although Euro 2020 is being played across 12 countries, Wembley is staging seven games including the semifinals and final.

In Group A, England next plays on Monday against Montenegro, which drew 1-1 with Bulgaria on Friday.

 

Portugal held by Ukraine on Ronaldo's return

Cristiano Ronaldo's return wasn't enough to give title-holder Portugal more than a 0-0 home draw against Ukraine in qualifying for the 2020 European Championship on Friday.

In his first international since the 2018 World Cup, Ronaldo threatened in attack but failed to break through Ukraine's solid defense at the Stadium of Light, with goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov making a few big saves to keep the hosts at bay.

In the other Group B match on Friday, Luxembourg defeated Lithuania 2-1.

Ronaldo hadn't played for Portugal since its elimination by Uruguay in the round of 16 at the World Cup in Russia.

Portugal has qualified for the semifinals of the inaugural Nations League, along with Switzerland, the Netherlands and England, and will host the finals in June.

The home team's first real chance on Friday came when William Carvalho's goal was disallowed for offside.

Ronaldo's first opportunity was in the 22nd minute with a low shot from inside the area saved by Pyatov. The goalkeeper denied him again five minutes later, diving to his right to deflect his low shot following a run inside the area.

Pyatov also made a difficult stop from a curling shot by forward Andre Silva early in the second half, and also thwarted defender Pepe.

Ukraine, which next season will play in the top tier of the Nations League, did not get past the group stage of Euro 2016 in France.

Ukraine visits Luxembourg on Monday, while Portugal hosts Serbia.

 

France opens Euro 2020 qualifying with 4-1 win at Moldova

World Cup winner France started its European Championship qualifying campaign with a 4-1 victory over Moldova on Friday.

Antoine Griezmann, Raphael Varane and Olivier Giroud scored inside 13 first-half minutes and Kylian Mbappe added the fourth goal late in the second half of the Group H encounter.

Vladimir Ambros netted a consolation with Moldova's first shot on target in the 89th minute.

The only surprise was that it took France 23 minutes to make the breakthrough.

It was a goal of sublime quality as Griezmann's short pass to Paul Pogba was, in turn, floated over the defense for the Atletico Madrid striker to run on to and connect with a left-foot volley from seven yards (meters) for his 27th goal in 68 internationals.

Griezmann was the supplier three minutes later with a corner that Varane met at the near post with a flicked header. It was again all too easy for the third as Pogba combined inside the area with Blaise Matuidi, who dinked in a cross which Giroud touched home with his left foot for his 34th international goal.

It took until the 87th minute for Mbappe to break Moldova's second-half resistance, slotting home from 12 yards.