England maintained their perfect World Cup qualifying record with a 2-0 win over Serbia thanks to a superb volley from Bukayo Saka and a superb Eberechi Eze finish.
The goal was a standout moment of quality on a rain-soaked night in which England struggled to achieve the high standards they have achieved in recent international competitions. However, Thomas Tuchel’s side improved noticeably following his intervention midway through the first half after a poor and sluggish start to the game.
England had led 3-0 at half-time in their last three international games, but had played at a surprisingly slow pace until impromptu Tuchel team talk shook things up in the 23rd minute when Jordan Pickford collapsed and required medical attention.
With Harry Kane dropping deeper to turn into a playmaker and Declan Rice moving forward, Saka and Marcus Rashford suddenly began to pose a threat. In addition to Saka’s volley, there were many more good opportunities, such as Kane’s header after Rashford and Rice failed to properly capitalize on the counterattack, and Rodgers’ shot that missed the post.
However, in the second half, Serbia desperately searched the net to find an equalizer after Dusan Vlahovic fired wide. This result ended Albania’s hopes of advancing to second place in Group K as they also won Andorra.
Pickford’s England international clean sheet record extended to 10 games. At the other end of the pitch, with Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden on the bench and Tuchel favoring Morgan Rogers as a number 10, they finally entered the fray after an hour. As a false nine, Foden nodded his headed opportunity wide and Bellingham buzzed in like a player with a point to prove as he played against him.
Bellingham were left frustrated at times, but Foden contributed in his No 9 role following Kane’s departure, playing a superb pass for Eze to see his shot hit the bar and later giving his team-mate his second of the match for England.
More to follow…
The 2026 World Cup draw will be held in Washington on December 5.
President Trump will decide the schedule for the group stage together with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the John F. Kennedy Center, where President Trump is president.
Announcing the draw location at the White House in August, President Trump said the World Cup was “the biggest event in sports,” while President Infantino declared the 104 games would be like “104 Super Bowls.”
The draw will take place from 12pm local time (5pm UK time).
The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
This competition will be the 23rd.
