England 2-0 Albania (Lewis-Skelly 20′, Kane 77′)
WEMBLEY — Thomas Tuchel’s pledge to load his first engagement as England manager with Premier League vibes faltered on a dynamic redolent of Manchester City versus Plymouth. Whatever this was, it wasn’t a test, or very different in complexion to so many nights at Wembley when the opposition is comprehensively overpowered.
One critic boiled it down to a game of ‘will Dan Burn score’? This was not to ridicule Burn, who had a perfectly acceptable debut, but to put into context a match in which it was almost impossible for an England player not to shine. At least after the opening 10 minutes.
In any fledgling romance, that first date can often be awkward, something to get out of the way. The early exchanges were very much like that, the sense of a new beginning perhaps inevitably influencing proceedings.
square FOOTBALL England vs Albania player ratings as record-breaking Lewis-Skelly scores 8/10
Read More
England had all the ball, Albania lined up in defensive configurations of 10, harrying their counterparts and shutting down the gaps. Maybe the lads were trying a bit too hard to initiate, to detonate the Premier League energy promised by Tuchel. Maybe that idea is itself out of date. Ten years being Pepped into submission has changed the game. We are all rondo boys now.
Tuchel, sensing the eagerness to please, gestured with two hands; calm down, calm down. This they did incrementally, slowly becoming absorbed in the contest. Fifteen minutes in Tuchel removed himself from the technical area, perhaps conscious that his presence was getting in the way.
A Marcus Rashford shimmy, a Jude Bellingham turn, Rashford again, to Harry Kane on the sprint. The Albanian fly trap closed in to repel the attack, but the increase in pace ignited the terraces and brought Tuchel back to his feet.
And then, 19 minutes in, Bellingham turned his man, threaded a needle of a pass for Myles Lewis-Skelly to slot past the keeper. England had a new youngest scorer on debut, 18 years, 176 days old. Achtung baby. That will do.
It took Albania a full 25 minutes to mount any kind of attack, and almost resulted in embarrassment for a rather older debutant, 32-year-old Burn, who saw his attempted block spin upwards onto the bar. In the confusion that followed he and Jordan Pickford reprised a silent movie comedy sketch before Burn put his head on it to concede a corner.
The episode drew Albania briefly from their shell as if they sensed a hint of vulnerability. The drums roused the enthusiastic Albanian following, and for moment their hung in the air the promise of jeopardy. Tuchel, arms folded, turned sharply as if wincing inside his hooded jacket.
It wouldn’t last. Albania were ultimately overmatched. Bellingham had a diving header saved. Kane saw his follow-up shot blocked by a desperate lunge. Burn smashed a header against the bar. Albania might have been four down at the break.
square FOOTBALL
Tuchel was right to throw Southgate under the bus - but now he has to deliver
Read MoreEngland continued their forward march after the break. Lewis-Skelly was exceptional, the pick of this collective. His positioning was always on point and his feet quick and nimble. Rashford was another to enjoy himself, hungry for the ball, pacey and direct.
Curtis Jones was a vibrant foil for Declan Rice, and behind them Ezri Konsa played the role of sheriff to perfection, cutting out the sporadic threats and taking every opportunity to break forward. For all that, with the game perched at 1-0, England needed a second goal to separate Tuchel from the beige Lee Carsley experience.
With 18 minutes remaining Morgan Rogers, Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon replaced Rashford, Jones and Phil Foden. The instruction was clear, Tuchel urging them to action on the touchline. And, hey presto, England struck a second time, skipper Kane taming a lofted Rice pass to curl the ball home.
Rice’s reward was to sit the last eight minutes to allow for the Jordan Henderson resurrection. Henderson last played for England 16 months ago against Malta, which, co-incidentally, was also Rashford’s last game. The lives of both have changed significantly since, Rashford returning via Aston Villa, Henderson by way of Saudi Arabia and Ajax.
Tuchel will have learned little here, the principal benefit getting through the first kiss without embarrassment. Hopefully Latvia will make a game of it on Monday.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( England begin Tuchel era with comfortable win over Albania )
Also on site :
- Who Won ‘American Idol’ 2025 Tonight?
- SNL season finale cold open ridicules Trump boasting about ‘pre-bribe’ of $400m Qatar jet
- 'S.W.A.T.' Fans Are 'Over The Moon' After Shemar Moore Reveals 'Best News Ever'