PODGORICA: Ross Barkley scored twice and provided an assist as England came from behind to defeat hosts Montenegro 5-1 in their second Euro 2020 qualifying tie in Group A in the Balkans.

Barkley’s cross was headed in by Michael Keane after Marko Vesovic’s curler had given the hosts a surprise lead with their first effort.

The Chelsea midfielder then diverted on a cross-shot from 18-year-old club-mate Callum Hudson-Odoi – who impressed on his full debut – before half-time, and coolly finished from Raheem Sterling’s cutback after an hour.

Sterling set up Harry Kane to make it 4-1 before darting clear to score England’s fifth. The Three Lions, who had thrashed the Czech Republic 5-0 on Friday, remain top of Group A.

England manager Gareth Southgate said afterwards that the FA would complain to European federation UEFA over racist abuse directed at Sterling, Hudson-Odoi and Danny Rose. A cigarette lighter was thrown towards the Manchester City forward after he scored his goal.

Southgate said: “We have to make sure we support our players. I definitely heard abuse of Danny Rose when he got booked.”

Ronaldo hurt

Cristiano Ronaldo went off injured with an apparent hamstring strain in the first half of European champions Portugal’s 1-1 draw with Serbia.

Serbia were winning the game 1-0 at the time through Dusan Tadic’s penalty but Portugal levelled just before half-time through Danilo Pereira.

Ronaldo’s club, Juventus, will be concerned – not so much for their domestic agenda where they lead Serie A by 15 points – but for fear of being without Ronaldo for next month’s Champions League quarter-final against Ajax Amsterdam.

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