England had to be patient but eventually eased to a 2-0 victory to begin the German tactician's tenure and their World Cup qualifying campaign
Is it too early to say football's coming home? Definitely, yes. Nevertheless, Thomas Tuchel's quest for 2026 World Cup glory got off to a winning start as England opened their qualifying campaign with a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Albania at Wembley on Friday night, with teenage debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly on the scoresheet.
It took the Arsenal prospect just 20 minutes to net his first-ever England goal – becoming the Three Lions' youngest-ever debut scorer in the process. The 18-year-old left-back ran onto a fine Jude Bellingham through ball and coolly rolled the ball between the onrushing goalkeeper's legs.
Tuchel's men could, and perhaps should, have doubled their lead before the break, but Harry Kane's effort was miraculously blocked as he followed up a point-blank save from a Bellingham attempt, and another debutant, Dan Burn, crashed a header against the crossbar.
The second period was a little more ragged as Albania tested their hosts on the break, but Kane calmed any England nerves with 13 minutes to play as he expertly controlled a lofted pass and swept the ball into the bottom corner.
GOAL rates England's players from Wembley Stadium…
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Jordan Pickford (6/10):
Dealt with one awkward high ball, albeit untidily, but this was generally a watching brief for the stopper.
Kyle Walker (6/10):
Routine stuff for the veteran, whose inclusion here, and indeed in the squad, raised some eyebrows. Regularly supported attacks and his recovery pace is still very useful.
Ezri Konsa (7/10):
Wasn't asked too many questions defensively but went about his work with a minimum of fuss. Made a huge last-ditch challenge that might have saved England's blushes.
Dan Burn (6/10):
An England debut to follow Newcastle's League Cup triumph – what a week for Burn. The giant Geordie unsurprisingly gobbled up almost every aerial ball, made a couple of big blocks and came so close to a memorable goal. Tested a little more in the second half.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (8/10):
A senior Three Lions bow for the 18-year-old and he marked it with the coolest of finishes through the keeper's legs. The stuff of dreams. Typically composed otherwise.
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Declan Rice (7/10):
Tasked with mopping up any England attacks that broke down and recycling the ball – a job he did expertly. His set-piece deliveries caused problems, and he picked out Kane with a lofted assist.
Curtis Jones (5/10):
Busied himself as the box-to-box midfielder and picked up some useful positions, but slightly lacked a cutting edge in the form of a final pass.
Jude Bellingham (8/10):
Roamed around menacingly and was the lock-picker, dissecting the Albanian defence with a beautiful slide-rule assist for Lewis-Skelly after rolling his man. Such an attacking threat.
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Phil Foden (4/10):
Really needs to follow some of his team-mates' leads and take games like this by the scruff of the neck, but he let the match pass him by before being hooked.
Harry Kane (7/10):
Couldn't believe he hadn't scored when his first-half strike was miraculously blocked, but wasn't to be denied as he slotted home a customary goal after some wonderful control.
Marcus Rashford (5/10):
Started brightly, combining neatly with Bellingham, but faded in the second period and was guilty of not taking enough risks on his return to the side.
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Anthony Gordon (5/10):
Got into some good areas. Injured right on the full-time whistle, though.
Jarrod Bowen (5/10):
Didn't have long to make much of an impact.
Morgan Rogers (6/10):
Looked adventurous and helped to see out the game.
Jordan Henderson (N/A):
On late as he returned to the fold.
Reece James (N/A):
On for the last knockings.
Thomas Tuchel (7/10):
England were in control from the first whistle and delivered the expected win. There are issues to iron out but this was a promising start.
