Postpublished at 20:10 British Summer Time 14 October 2019

20:10 BST 14 October 2019

Bulgaria 0-2 England

Raheem Sterling is not happy here.

The England winger is taken out by Petar Zanev's industrial challenge, diving in with no control and although he gets a bit of the ball, he also gets plenty more of Sterling.

No booking.

A reminder...

Kosovo still lead Montenegro 1-0 so England can score 10 tonight and still won't qualify for Euro 2020.

Chris Waddle
Ex-Tottenham and England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

There was a lot of patience about that build-up but there was a good tempo too. Raheem Sterling has that pace and he drives. He knows what he wants to do.

England just need to keep up this pace and get a third. Don't let off now.

Bulgaria break on the counter and Ivelin Popov's hanging cross is headed away for a corner by Kieran Trippier.

Brilliant from Jordan Pickford from the resulting delivery though, darting a long way off his line to claim the ball and relieve the pressure.

"Keeperrrrrrs!"

Better from England, moving the ball quicker but Ben Chilwell's cross from the left is cleared by the hosts.

Chris Waddle
Ex-Tottenham and England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's gone scrappy from England. When they move the ball quickly, you can see them adding to their total but they are taking too long in possession.

Marcus Rashford has been involved in six goals in his last eight starts for England in all competitions (5 goals, 1 assist).

Amir Rrahmani has put Kosovo 1-0 up against Montenegro...

...which means England will have to wait until Montenegro at home next month to qualify for Euro 2020.

That will be the Three Lions' 1,000th international game.

Chris Waddle
Ex-Tottenham and England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

England came off the tempo a little. They are letting Bulgaria get the ball and gain in confidence. We saw this against the Czech Republic.

Perfect start for England, we know they can get goals, but can they keep them out at the other end?

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Sofia

Brilliant start for England and quite the statement from Marcus Rashford.

There is a sparse crowd inside the Natsionalen Stadion Vasil Levski. A section of 5,000 seats is closed after racism during games against Kosovo and the Czech Republic in June but its impact on the atmosphere is minimal because there are thousands of empty seats even away from those officially closed.

Bulgaria are not fazed and come close to a quick equaliser.

Skipper Ivelin Popov is not closed down, the midfielder has a go from 25 yards and a low shot is dealt with brilliantly by Jordan Pickford diving low to his left.

That was sneaking into the bottom corner.

Marcus Rashford has scored his eighth goal for England - his first five came in England, while his last three have all been scored away from home.

Cristiano Ronaldo looked well pumped for tonight's game just before kick off as he looks to reach a career landmark of 700 goals. That may still happen but his Portugal side are trailing at the moment.

Ukraine take the lead through Roman Yaremchuk, who fires home from a corner.

Chris Waddle
Ex-Tottenham and England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

That was good play. Marcus Rashford did ever so well down that left side. It looks as if he's going to cross it and the full-back buys it.

He has one thing on his mind and when he cuts inside it's a wonderful whip into the far corner. The pace is absolutely... the goalkeeper can't get his hands on it it's so quick.

Tyrone Mings is the 60th different player selected for England by Gareth Southgate.

Phewww! Northern Ireland hold on for the victory, courtesy of Paddy McNair's first-half double.

Chris Waddle
Ex-Tottenham and England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

England have got to keep the tempo high and keep the ball. It's just damage limitation from Bulgaria and it's up to England to break them down.