In a promising debut as England's coach, Thomas Tuchel led the Three Lions to a 2-0 victory against Albania in the first World Cup qualification match held on March 21, 2025. The match, played at Wembley Stadium, showcased young talent and veteran prowess, setting a positive tone for the qualification series ahead.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, an 18-year-old left-back from Arsenal, made headlines by scoring a goal just 21 minutes into the match. Under the guidance of Jude Bellingham, who orchestrated the breakthrough with a precise assist, Lewis-Skelly showcased a bright future for English football as he slotted the ball past Albanian goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha.
Throughout the first half, England maintained a significant degree of control over the game. Both Harry Kane and Dan Burn had notable attempts to extend the lead, with Kane's close-range shot being cleared off the line and Burn's header crashing against the crossbar. Despite multiple close calls, the score remained 1-0 at halftime.
The second half saw Albania attempt to mount a challenge, but England's defense held firm against sporadic counterattacks. While some murmurs of discontent began to circulate among the home crowd as the match wore on, it was Kane who eventually quelled their concerns. In the 78th minute, he deftly converted a cross, sealing England's victory with a well-timed strike.
The final whistle confirmed a professional 2-0 win for Tuchel's men. While the scoreline suggests a comfortable win, the performance highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Nevertheless, Tuchel's debut was a success, and with upcoming matches, England has a strong foundation to build upon.
In the broader context, England's journey to the World Cup comes after a rollercoaster ride in the 2024 European Championships, where they advanced to the finals only to be edged out by Spain 2-1 after extra time. Prior to this match against Albania, the Three Lions had shown promise in the Nations League, securing victories over Ireland (5-0) and Finland (3-1). With newfound optimism, fans were keen to see how their team would perform under Tuchel's management.
As for Albania, the team had mixed results in their European campaign, including a commendable draw against Croatia (2-2), but losses to both Italy (2-1) and Spain (1-0). They came into this qualifying match hoping to secure a historic victory against England, who had previously defeated them in both meetings during the World Cup 2022 qualifiers—0-2 in Tirana and 5-0 in Wembley.
With the World Cup qualification series now underway, both teams are expected to take lessons from this match. England, fueled by a new spirit under Tuchel, is ready to face the challenges ahead, while Albania looks to regroup and find a way to convert their solid defensive setups into offensive opportunities in future matches.
The next match for England will see them continuing their push for World Cup qualification, as fans anticipate further displays of the prowess and potential they now associate with Thomas Tuchel’s coaching reign.
