England began its journey in the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup with a solid performance, defeating Albania 2-0 at Wembley Stadium in London on Friday, March 21, 2025. This victory puts them at the top of Group K.
The match kicked off with England dominating possession but struggling to break through Albania's defensive setup, managed by Sylvinho. However, it didn't take long for the hosts to find the net. In the 20th minute, the young left-back Lewis-Skelly, just 18 years old, received a precise pass from Bellingham, skillfully dribbled past the goalkeeper, and slotted the ball into the net, opening the scoring.
Following the opening goal, England maintained their momentum, created several scoring opportunities, but came up short, with one shot hitting the crossbar and another superbly saved by Albania's goalkeeper, Strakosha. Notable moments included a close header from Bellingham that forced a challenging save from the keeper and a bullet header by Burn that struck the top of the bar.
As the second half progressed, Albania increased their attacking efforts but continued to lack the precision needed to capitalize on their chances. They attempted to stage a comeback, but England's defense held firm, allowing minimal threats toward their goal. England's Harry Kane also posed a consistent danger, nearly doubling the lead with a ferocious header that whizzed inches away from the post.
Finally, the English side sealed their victory in the 32nd minute of the second half. Rice delivered a beautiful cross into the box, which Kane controlled expertly. With a deft turn, he found the right position and placed the ball with precision into the net, ensuring England's success. This goal exemplified Kane's poacher instincts, showcasing why he remains one of the top strikers in the world.
As the match concluded, England's focus shifted to their next fixture against Latvia on March 24, 2025, at 16:45 local time. They will aim to build on this victory and solidify their lead in Group K. In the same matchday, Albania will face Andorra, hoping to secure their first points of the campaign.
With this win, England sits in first place of Group K, tied with Latvia on points but ahead on goal difference while Albania occupies the last position without any points. The pressure now escalates as teams compete for the limited slots available for the World Cup.
This match illustrated England's tactical superiority, with Thomas Tuchel's side effectively utilizing their younger talents while counting on seasoned players like Kane to deliver crucial goals when it mattered most. Clearly, the team is on the right path as they begin their World Cup qualifying campaign.