In a momentous shift for English football, Thomas Tuchel made his debut as the England manager, leading the Three Lions to a 2-0 victory over Albania in a World Cup 2026 qualifier at Wembley. The match marked a new era for the national team as Tuchel took over from Gareth Southgate, who previously led England for several successful tournaments.
On March 21, 2025, the team took to the pitch with a starting XI that included Jordan Pickford in goal, Kyle Walker, Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn, Myles Lewis-Skelly in defense, and Declan Rice, Curtis Jones, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden, and Harry Kane in the attacking lineup. Albania fielded their own strong side with goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha flanked by players such as Berat Djimsiti and Ylber Ramadani, aiming to pull off an upset during England's qualifying campaign.
The first half showcased England's dominance as they concluded with a remarkable 437 completed passes, their most in a half according to Opta's records. Myles Lewis-Skelly opened the scoring shortly before half-time, a goal that set the tone for the match.
England’s head coach, Tuchel, expressed his optimism and tactical plans for the team during the lead-up to the match. He aimed for a style of play akin to the high-energy performances seen weekly in the Premier League. His team gave him the starting momentum he desired, with Harry Kane becoming the first England player to score in his first game under three different managers, achieving this milestone by netting his 70th international goal.
As the match progressed into the second half, the Three Lions maintained control, but Albania's defense began to show cracks. In the 89th minute, England sealed their victory as Jordan Henderson made his long-awaited return to the pitch, replacing Rice amidst cheers from the fans. The win further solidified Tuchel's position and strategy ahead of upcoming qualifiers against Latvia and other lesser-ranked teams.
While the victory was sweet, conversations continued about Harry Kane’s role within the squad. Despite his scoring prowess, some analysts, including former players and pundits, raised concerns regarding his mobility on the pitch. Lee Carsley recently highlighted that England is “light at No 9,” referencing Kane’s tendency to drop too deep, potentially disrupting Tuchel's tactical framework and restricting England's attacking shape.
Richard Keys, a former Sky Sports presenter, echoed this sentiment by suggesting that it might be time for a leadership change, proposing Declan Rice as a potential new captain for England. He pointed out Kane’s struggles during Euro 2024, where he was unable to influence crucial moments, and advocated for exploring other attacking options like Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney.
In a press conference following the match, Kane expressed his feelings of being taken for granted, especially after achieving international accolades. He stated, “I’ve scored 69 goals... people just expect it... it’s not spoken about so much.” His remarks reflect the immense pressure high-performing players like him endure as they continue to break records but also face scrutiny.
Looking ahead, Tuchel recognizes that the path to the World Cup 2026 will demand a focused and cohesive team effort. As England prepare for their next set of matches, the management and players will need to find the right balance between celebrating individual brilliance and fostering a collective identity that can carry them through the tournament.
With confidence bolstered by their opening win, England’s squad is eager to make headlines in the upcoming qualifiers as they chase their first World Cup title since 1966 and prove that they can thrive under new leadership.
