England limp previous lowly Latvia as Thomas Tuchel makes it two wins from two
ENGLAND 3-0 LATVIA Reece James, Harry Kane, and Eberechi Eze scored as England made it two World Cup qualifying wins from two in Thomas Tuchel’s opening games as Three Lions boss
Reece James broke his England duck to reduce the chances of Thomas Tuchel being left spitting feathers.
James celebrated his first start since 2022 with a stunning free kick, to help England limp to an unconvincing win over Latvia in this World Cup qualifier at Wembley. Harry Kane and an own goal from Antonijs Cernomordijs helped spare England’s blushes.
But these – and James’s debut goal – were the few highlights on a first frustrating night since Friday for new boss Tuchel. And such is the life of an international manager, the German now has until June to sit and stew over how he makes the Three Lions look like a team capable of winning a World Cup.
This was always going to be a game in which England were on a hiding to nothing. But despite Tuchel warning that his side had to win ugly, he saw them almost forget the winning bit until late on.
Tuchel had made four changes, which included handing a first start to Morgan Rogers, while offering full back James the chance to revive his international career. Jarrod Bowen was also handed a recall, and all those looking to impress Tuchel couldn’t have wished for a better chance than this to do so.
Latvia arrived in London for the first ever meeting with the Three Lions, ranked 140th in the world. While Latvia opened their qualification campaign with a 1-0 win over Andorra in the Pyrenees, watched by less than 1,000 fans.
This was a step into the unknown for the Latvians. But their approach was predictable, with the visitors operating a back five which hoped to frustrate Tuchel’s men. And it did.
With England dominating the ball, it made a mockery of Tuchel’s decision to pick Declan Rice in a holding midfield role.
Jude Bellingham was the first to try his luck, but had a shot blocked, while Bowen blazed an effort well wide. Then the unthinkable almost happened, when Latvia came close to taking the lead.
Jordan Pickford and Marc Guehi got in a horrible mess dealing with the hopeful ball forward, but with the goal at his mercy, Vladislavs Gutkovskis somehow missed the target.
It was a huge let off for the Three Lions.
Who should have taken full advantage of their good fortune, but Bellingham saw his header hit one of his team-mates, before Krisjanis Zviedris produced a stunning save when Ezri Konsa tried to fire home the loose ball.
Moments later Kane headed over from close range – before producing a complete miss kick on the turn.
The frustration was beginning to build. Not least when Bowen was denied a penalty, despite being felled by the diving Zvierdris.
But all was forgotten seven minutes before the break when James produced a moment of pure magic, with a curling free kick to end the stalemate.
It was just what the game needed.
What England didn’t need, however, was Bellingham getting sent off, which he was fortunate not to be after hacking down Raivis Jurkovskis, having already been booked.
More goals were expected to flow, but it took until deep into the second half for Kane and an own goal from Cernomordijs to add a bit of gloss to proceedings.
By this stage Tuchel had left his technical area to sit down.
But it was a lie down he probably needed come the final whistle.
