England made a winning start to life under Thomas Tuchel on Friday night as they beat Albania 2-0 at Wembley. The Three Lions comfortably overcame their opponents with Tuchel on the touchline for the first time. Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly scored the first goal of the game on his senior debut, making history. Captain Harry Kane then netted his 70th goal for his country to seal the deal and kick off the World Cup qualifying campaign on a high note.
The match, marking Tuchel's first game in charge, saw England dominate possession from the onset, completing a remarkable 437 passes in the first half alone, setting a new record as per Opta's records. The Three Lions had almost 80 percent of the ball in the opening 45 minutes, showcasing their tactical strength and attacking prowess against an Albanian side that struggled to make an impact.
Lewis-Skelly's historic goal came in the 19th minute, following a well-crafted play. Jude Bellingham crafted a delightful pass that allowed Lewis-Skelly to slot it home with composure. The debut goal for the young Arsenal player not only gave England a crucial lead but also served as a testament to his burgeoning talent on the international stage.
Harry Kane's goal in the 77th minute was not just a significant milestone in terms of his scoring record, but it also marked him as the first England player to score on his debut under three different managers—Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate, and now Thomas Tuchel. This exploit further solidifies his position as a foundational figure in the national team.
Despite a comfortable win for England, there were instances that raised concern. Notably, Dan Burn, who also made his debut, headed against the crossbar just before halftime, signifying the potential for an even larger scoreline. Burn was involved in several defensive dashes but was occasionally caught off position by Armando Broja from Albania, who displayed some attacking intent.
The match was not without its injuries, with Albanian goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha going down and subsequently being replaced by Elhan Kastrati in the 80th minute. The replacement came after Strakosha had expressed visible discomfort, notably after he had to handle some tough challenges from the English forwards.
The last stages of the game saw England making several substitutions, including the introduction of Jordan Henderson, marking his first appearance since November 2023. Henderson replaced Declan Rice in the 83rd minute, bringing fresh energy and experience to the pitch as the team sought to maintain their lead.
England's tactical approach under Tuchel has shown promise, with players swiftly engaging in pressing whenever they lost possession, leading to a commendable build-up of play that kept Albania under pressure for most of the match. Their ability to reclaim the ball quickly was a significant factor in the control they exhibited throughout the game.
Before the match concluded, Tuchel gambled with a triple substitution, bringing on Morgan Rogers, Jarrod Bowen, and Anthony Gordon in place of Curtis Jones, Marcus Rashford, and Phil Foden respectively. This move was aimed at injecting fresh legs into the squad and providing opportunities for all players to contribute to the victory.
As the final whistle blew, a sense of achievement resonated among the team and fans alike, marking a satisfactory start to England's World Cup qualifying campaign. Tuchel will likely take both positives and areas for improvement into the next match against Latvia on March 24.
With the win under their belt, the Three Lions can build momentum as they seek qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Fans are certainly eager to see how this new phase under Tuchel unfolds, especially with the arrival of fresh talent and the reintegration of experienced players like Henderson.
