England maintained their good World Cup qualifying document with a 2-0 win over Serbia because of a high-quality Bukayo Saka volley and wonderful Eberechi Eze end, as Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden had combined performances off the bench at Wembley.
The objectives had been standout moments of high quality on a rain-soaked evening by which already-qualified England struggled to hit the excessive ranges they’ve reached in latest internationals. However Thomas Tuchel’s facet had been markedly improved after he intervened halfway via the primary half after a lacklustre and sloppy begin to the sport from his group.
England had been 3-0 up by half-time of their previous three internationals – together with a 5-0 thrashing of Serbia in Belgrade – however had been alarmingly gradual out of the blocks right here till an impromptu Tuchel group speak shook issues up when Jordan Pickford went down calling for therapy on 23 minutes.
With Harry Kane dropping deeper to show playmaker and Declan Rice extra superior, Saka and Marcus Rashford instantly started to threaten. In addition to Saka’s volley, there have been extra good possibilities earlier than half-time, with Kane heading vast and Rogers glancing off beam after Rashford and Rice had been unable to capitalise on a counter.
There have been let-offs within the second half, although, with Dusan Vlahovic flicking vast after which clipping the roof of the web as Serbia – more and more determined – looked for an equaliser to save lots of their World Cup hopes. This outcome, although, coupled with Albania additionally profitable in Andorra, ends their possibilities of a top-two end in Group Okay.
Eberechi Eze celebrates scoring England’s second objective towards Serbia
The statistics look good for England. They’re nonetheless but to concede on this marketing campaign, with Pickford’s England document run of worldwide clear sheets stretching to 10 matches. However on the different finish of the pitch there may be intrigue into how Tuchel will utilise all his attacking choices.
Bellingham and Foden – benched with Tuchel favouring Morgan Rogers at No 10 – lastly entered the fray after an hour. Foden, as a false 9, nodded a headed probability vast however made his mark late on, chipping a beautiful cross for an Eze shot to be tipped onto the bar earlier than helping his team-mate for England’s second.
Bellingham, in the meantime, taking part in off Foden, buzzed like a participant with a degree to show. There have been a few thrilling combos with Reece James however in the end the Actual Madrid man grew to become pissed off. If something, this was one other evening by which Rogers as soon as once more confirmed why he’s appreciated by Tuchel regardless of competitors at No 10 from high-profile team-mates. It’s a battle which is able to run proper up till the World Cup.
Tuchel pleased with passing ‘intense’ take a look at
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Following a victory towards Serbia, England supervisor Thomas Tuchel praised Phil Foden’s efficiency after returning to the fold.
England boss Thomas Tuchel:
“We wanted to have quality and impact and new energy from the bench which we got. We created chances, half-chances and scored.
“We had some moments to defend till the very finish, to defend our clear sheet. A particular praise to Jordan and the again 4 in the present day. Within the second half the urgent was not all the time proper and we let Serbia escape. There was some intense output we needed to give to get the clear sheet and win the sport.
“It was a difficult match, a complicated match, we had to adapt and be flexible. Maybe throughout the match we lacked a little bit of precision with the last pass, otherwise we could have created more and scored earlier to be a bit more calm.
“However I appreciated it, it stayed intense and a good match. We may see their high quality. I am comfortable about this take a look at. It was a take a look at. The angle was proper.”
Analysis: Lessons from England’s win over Serbia
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz at Wembley:
“So what did we be taught there?
“England don’t play with a striker. Harry Kane played like a deep midfielder. Phil Foden came on as a false nine. Lots of people called for a Danny Welbeck to support Kane, but do England even need that out-and-out No 9?
“Tuchel can change it mid-game. England had been dire within the first 25 minutes. The England boss acquired the group in with a tactical time-out and instantly the group was a lot, significantly better. Rice performed larger. Rashford and Saka had been extra concerned.
“Anderson looks the part. So many clever incisive balls from England’s defensive midfielder. That No 6 role is his to lose, with Adam Wharton only given five minutes to impress.
“There is a race on at centre-back. Ezri Konsa seemed good, with a few last-ditch challenges. Who out of him, John Stones and Marc Guehi fill the 2 spots?
“Nico O’Reilly looks the part too. The Man City left-back did not look out of place on England debut – he lasted the 90 minutes. Is that spot his to lose too?
“And Bellingham remains to be not at it. Nonetheless feeling his shoulder damage? Lower than velocity? In need of confidence? Rogers seemed higher than him right here.”
Foden: The smile is back!
England’s Phil Foden to ITV:
“So comfortable to be again within the squad. Nice gamers and I am having fun with it. I believed I did properly, created just a few possibilities and unfortunate to not put a pair away. Total, I’ve to be pleased with the impression.”
On his role as striker: “I will play wherever the supervisor places me. I can play a number of positions and I used to be comfortable to come back on as a false 9. I loved it. Possibly it’s going to get the very best out of me, solely time will inform.
“There are quality players all over the pitch. I know there is pressure on me to perform at Man City and I just have to keep my head down and earn my place. The smile is back.”
The draw for the 2026 World Cup will happen in Washington on December 5.
President Trump will be a part of FIFA President Gianni Infantino on the John F Kennedy Middle – a performing arts venue the place Trump is chairman – to resolve the group stage fixtures.
Saying the draw venue on the White Home in August, Trump mentioned the World Cup was “the biggest event in sports”, whereas Infantino declared the 104 matches could be like “104 Super Bowls”.
The draw will happen from 12pm native time (5pm UK time).
The 2026 FIFA Males’s World Cup takes place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Will probably be the twenty third version of the match.
