Despite having a portion of the Vasil Levski Stadium closed by order of UEFA for “racist behavior” from Bulgaria supporters during a June qualifier against Kosovo, the buildup for today’s match between England and Bulgaria in Sofia was centered around how Three Lions players would respond to the inevitable racist abuse that would come their way.
Sure enough, some Bulgarian chucklekfucks sent a clear message regarding their own unfathomable stupidity and aimed it at Tyrone Mings, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling — so much so that the match had to be stopped twice in the first half — but the Three Lions responded by obliterating Bulgaria on the pitch, 6-0.
Rashford opened the scoring with a stunning goal in the seventh minute, Sterling had a brace, Ross Barkley had a brace and Harry Kane added one late as England took firm control of Group A.
Here’s that opener from the 21-year-old Manchester United attacker.
Marcus Rashford with a BEAUTY pic.twitter.com/UuRjCBFsy6
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 14, 2019
Barkley added the second in the 20th minute, and the game’s first stoppage took place seven minutes after that.
Barkley scored his second and England’s third in the 32nd, and he celebrated accordingly.
Sneaky wanker sign from Barkley after his second goal tonight, in direction of the section of racist Bulgarian’s in the ground pic.twitter.com/V4uUBundLc
— Football Fights (@footbalIfights) October 14, 2019
Play stopped again in the 43rd minute as the referee went to the touchline to talk to the fourth official and Gareth Southgate.
Stadium announcement at Bulgaria vs England:
"Because of racist behaviour which is interfering with the game, the referee has indicated he may have to suspend the match. Please be in no doubt that the game may be suspended and abandoned if racist behaviour continues."#BULENG pic.twitter.com/OvxeoJmWsu— Goal (@goal) October 14, 2019
At the halftime whistle, Bulgaria captain Ivelin Popov could be seen appealing to home fans to stop the abuse.
This makes you sick to your stomach... #BULENGpic.twitter.com/rxRSU8FPUP
— Samantha Quek (@SamanthaQuek) October 14, 2019
Finally, here’s England’s sixth goal; Kane megs a defender and finishes. As The Guardian’s Rob Smyth said over on his live coverage: Eat that, you racist tossers.
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