England's football team took a hopeful step towards the 2026 World Cup in North America as Thomas Tuchel, the newly appointed head coach, started his reign with a 2-0 victory over Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, an 18-year-old left-back from Arsenal, became England's youngest-ever goalscoring debutant just 20 minutes into the match. Responding to a brilliant pass from Jude Bellingham, Lewis-Skelly coolly finished past the Albanian goalkeeper, marking a historic opening goal. The Arsenal player’s achievement at 18 years and 176 days illustrates the fresh talent brewing in the English ranks under Tuchel's new management.
Captain Harry Kane sealed the victory with his 70th international goal in the 78th minute, further establishing his legacy as England's all-time top scorer. England’s performance opened with strong possession, maintaining 75% in the first half and even soaring to 88% at times, but it initially lacked the cutting edge to convert dominance into goals.
Despite the slow start, Tuchel’s side found their rhythm, with Lewis-Skelly and Dan Burn leading the way. Burn, a debutant as well, made headlines with his return to international football after a storied club career that saw him play in lower leagues only a decade ago. Five days prior to this match, Burn made an impactful appearance in the Carabao Cup final for Newcastle, displaying his resilience in front of the Wembley crowd.
The match opened with a minute's applause in memory of former England international George Eastham, who passed away in December. The atmosphere in the stadium reflected the blend of enthusiasm and expectation surrounding Tuchel's new era, highlighted by a prominent banner reading, “Welcome to the home of football, Thomas.”
The evening began cautiously for England, who struggled to break through Albania’s organized defense and appeared hesitant in their passing. However, the breakthrough came in the 19th minute when Bellingham's sublime vision found Lewis-Skelly. The young left-back showcased his poise amid high pressure, slotting the ball deftly through the legs of Albania's keeper, starting England's scoring.
Following the debut goal, Burn came close to doubling the lead when his header from a corner rattled the crossbar just before halftime. As the match resumed, England continued to push. Tuchel made tactical changes, including replacing Rashford, who celebrated his return to the national fold with his first cap in a year since he last played against Brazil in March 2024.
Tuchel's substitutions paid off as Kane settled the nerves with his goal in the remaining minutes of the game. Arsenal's Declan Rice provided the assist; Kane expertly controlled the ball before sending it into the bottom right corner. The captain's goalscoring prowess was on full display, assuring fans of his continuing form as he leads the team forward.
Tuchel expressed confidence in the budding talent of his squad, highlighting Lewis-Skelly's potential, “He’s impressive, nothing but impressive,” Tuchel remarked, emphasizing the young player’s character and readiness for international competition. With this victory, England garnered three crucial points as they embark on their World Cup qualifying campaign.
As England moves forward, they will face Latvia on March 24, 2025, which will serve as another test of their mettle under Tuchel. The team's focus now sharpens on maintaining momentum and turning their potential into tangible results in their quest for World Cup qualification. It seems the excitement surrounding Tuchel's England has only just begun, with fans eager to see how this new chapter unfolds.
