England secured a predictable yet significant 3-0 victory over Latvia at Wembley in a World Cup qualifier. While the win itself was never in doubt, given the opposition’s ranking, the focus was on how the team performed and whether Thomas Tuchel’s tactical influence was evident.
The game provided moments of excitement, particularly when Reece James scored a stunning 25-yard free-kick in the first half. Making his first England start since September 2022, the right-back struck the ball perfectly into the top corner, marking his first international goal. Despite his early struggles, where he seemed overenthusiastic and erratic, his goal was a highlight of the night.
England faced the familiar challenge of breaking down an ultra-defensive side. The first half saw slow and predictable passing, with the team struggling to inject tempo into their game. Latvia’s deep defensive setup made it difficult to create clear-cut chances, leading to frustration among the players. This frustration was evident when Jude Bellingham, already on a yellow card, made a rash tackle on Raivis Jurkovskis in the second half. He was fortunate to avoid a second booking, which could have changed the course of the game.
The match followed a typical script seen many times before England dominating possession against a low-ranked team sitting deep with all eleven players behind the ball. The breakthrough eventually came in the second half when Harry Kane doubled the lead. He finished off a move that involved Myles Lewis-Skelly, Bellingham, and Declan Rice, who surged forward before providing the assist.
Eberechi Eze added the third goal late in the match. Coming off the bench, he executed a series of stepovers before taking a shot that deflected off Latvia’s captain, Antonijs Cernomordijs, and into the net. It was a memorable moment for Eze, as it marked his first goal for England.
There were other opportunities throughout the game that went unconverted. Marcus Rashford showed intent but lacked the finishing touch. Jarrod Bowen had a strong penalty claim when the Latvian goalkeeper collided with him, but the VAR did not intervene. Additionally, Bellingham missed a free header from a corner, and Ezri Konsa saw his follow-up shot superbly saved.
Despite the win, there were concerns over the team’s overall performance. Tuchel, who had overseen a 2-0 victory over Albania just days earlier, experimented with his lineup by giving Morgan Rogers his first start. The forward showed promise, but England’s play often lacked the high-intensity pressing and quick ball movement that the manager has emphasized.
While the night belonged to James for his spectacular free-kick and Eze for his milestone goal, England’s struggles in breaking down defensive opponents remained evident. Tuchel has work to do in refining the team’s tempo and attacking efficiency before facing tougher opposition.
