Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has fond memories of playing twice against San Marino during the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.
As England prepare for their latest meeting with the Sammarinese at Wembley on Thursday night, the Arsenal man recalls his first senior international goals.
While many people will remember his strike in the Maracana last year, it was under the arch where he opened his account.
England v San Marino
European Qualifier Group E
7.45pm, Thursday 9 October
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
Live on ITV
www.TheFA.com/tickets
England ended up 5-0 winners on that night in October 2012. Captain for the night, Wayne Rooney, put England in front from the penalty spot with 35 minutes played and added a second in after the break.
Both his goals were followed quickly by efforts from Danny Welbeck, but for Oxlade-Chamberlain it was the fifth one he remembers most.
“Leighton Baines did well down the left and put a really good ball in,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain.
“Clevs [Tom Cleverley] set an intricate pass up for me – which I’m convinced he didn’t mean, I think he wanted to set himself up – but I took it off him and luckily I finished it off.”
England 5-0 San Marino, 2012
It was his first goal for his country in what was his eighth appearance, six months after his senior debut.
“It felt like a long time coming. I hadn’t played that many matches but the England games are spread over a long period of time.
"When it did come it was a really nice feeling, it was at Wembley as well, so it was nice to open my account with my first international goal – it’s what you dream of as a kid.”
Two appearances later and Oxlade-Chamberlain was in the goals once more – co-incidentally against San Marino again in the away group qualifier.
“There was some good play down the right, Kyle Walker had the ball and he played it in to me. I turned inside, played a one-two with Wazza [Rooney] on the edge of the box and drove in to finish it.
“Both goals were the sort of goals we need to try and get more of – small passes around the box and on both occasions they came off for me.”
You can read the full interview with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as well as features with Fraser Forster and David Beckham, in the new-look official matchday programme, which will be on sale around Wembley Stadium.
The programme is also available to buy online here, or download to your device from the Apple Newsstand, here.
