In the first official game as England manager, Thomas Tuchel led his team to a convincing 2-0 victory over Albania in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025. The match marked Tuchel's debut, following his appointment as the successor to Gareth Southgate, and he began his tenure with a solid performance that hints at a promising future for the national team.
England's victory featured debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly, who made a remarkable impression by scoring the opening goal, setting the tone for the match. The captain, Harry Kane, further solidified his legacy by scoring his 70th international goal, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. Kane’s achievement also established him as the only England player to score on his first appearance under three different managers, previously accomplishing the same under Roy Hodgson and Gareth Southgate.
Tuchel’s lineup demonstrated a blend of experience and youth, as he opted for players like Lewis-Skelly and captain Kane, while also recalling Jordan Henderson for his first appearance since November 2023, replacing Declan Rice. This strategic choice paid off, with England taking the lead shortly after kick-off. Lewis-Skelly's goal was celebrated by fans, who acknowledged the young talent’s potential.
As the match progressed, England demanded the ball’s possession, exhibiting impressive passing play throughout the first half, completing a notable 437 passes. Dan Burn, a standout player, completed 88 of those, nearly reaching his own career high of 90 passes in a full Premier League match. However, England struggled to convert their dominance into goals during the opening half, with clear chances squandered by both Bellingham and Kane.
Although Albania offered limited threats, they did manage to produce a few moments of concern for the England defense, notably when Asani had a chance to shoot from distance but failed to find the target. Tuchel emphasized the necessity for his squad to maintain their attacking efforts and keep the pressure on their opponents.
In the second half, Tuchel made various changes to maintain momentum and fresh legs on the field, bringing on Morgan Rogers, Jarrod Bowen, and Anthony Gordon for Curtis Jones, Marcus Rashford, and Phil Foden. These substitutions provided a renewed attacking impetus, although moments of nervousness remained as England attempted to secure their two-goal lead.
England’s pivotal second goal came from Kane when he received a well-placed cross from Rice. Kane skillfully took a touch to compose himself before executing a stunning shot that curled into the bottom corner. This goal not only solidified England’s lead but also put the game beyond doubt, paving the way for Tuchel’s first win as the national team coach.
Anthony Gordon, who had been in a strong position during the match, found himself receiving treatment towards the end of the game after going down off the ball. Fortunately, there were no significant reports of injury following the match. However, the defeat was marked by an injury to Albanian goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, who left the pitch late in the game, replaced by Kastrati.
Tuchel seemed pleased with the performance despite acknowledging the areas needing improvement, specifically in creating higher tempo play within the final moments. However, he expressed satisfaction with how his players executed their strategy, particularly in retaining possession and controlling the tempo of the match.
At full-time, England's 2-0 victory marked a strong start for Tuchel as he aims to lead the Three Lions towards success in the upcoming World Cup tournament. This performance hinted at an encouraging beginning to his leadership and set a positive tone for the remainder of the qualifying campaign.
