Thomas Tuchel’s reign as England manager began with victory as the Three Lions got their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign up and running with a 2-0 win over Albania in front of more than 82,000 fans at Wembley.
Tuchel handed debuts to Dan Burn and Myles Lewis-Skelly in his starting line-up, and the 18-year-old Arsenal defender opened the scoring by prodding through goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha’s legs from a Jude Bellingham pass.
England led by only that goal until the 77th minute, when Harry Kane plucked the ball from the sky with fine control before stroking into the bottom corner to double the lead and make sure of all three points.
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith was at Wembley to rate the England players’ performances…
Jordan Pickford 6
His start suggested he will continue as England’s No1 under Tuchel. Had no saves to make. One of his quieter Wembley outings.
Kyle Walker 6
Earned his 94th cap and has now had the 10th-longest England career, stretching 13 years and 129 days. Some sloppy passes perhaps suggested he may be past it at this level, though defended well and delivered one cross which almost bought Jude Bellingham a goal.
Was fairly safe with his passing, but that was no bad thing. Defended very calmly and saved England on more than one occasion with vital last-ditch tackles. A fine performance on his sixth start for his country.
Dan Burn 7
Headed against the crossbar, so nearly becoming England’s second debut goalscorer of the night. Made some crucial clearances and was a welcome addition to the England backline.
Myles Lewis-Skelly 9
The 18-year-old left-back became England’s youngest-ever debut scorer, usurping previous holder of that title, Marcus Rashford! Tuchel’s lucky charm? Skipped past challenges, intercepted Albania passes he’d anticipated, joined in with attacks. Was magnificent all night.
Curtis Jones 6
Is desperate to make himself the go-to man next to Declan Rice, but has competition from plenty of others in that position. Some good passes, some lax ones. But first-rate movement off the ball.
Declan Rice 7
Rotated the ball nicely, bringing others into play and snuffing out Albania counter-attacks at source. Just what he was there to go, at the base of midfield. Picked up the assist for Kane’s goal.
Phil Foden 6
Couldn’t add to his four international goals - the tale of his England career, really - but was lively, always asked for the ball, and drifted inside from the right.
Jude Bellingham 7
Assisted Lewis-Skelly’s winner with an inch-perfect pass slipped through the bodies at the back for Albania. Denied a certain headed goal by a superb block. Excellent work ethic.
Marcus Rashford 6
Played one gorgeous pass over the top and broke away down the left a couple of times. Good display on his first England outing for 12 months.
Harry Kane 7
Up and running under the new boss. Played some storming long passes from deep, as always, and helped out with a couple of crunching tackles, too. Came close in the first half before making sure of victory by finding the bottom corner in the second.
Subs
Anthony Gordon (Rashford, 74’) 5
Received the ball and looked to dart in-field. The game was well and truly won by the time he’d arrived, though. Appeared to pick up an injury late on.
Jarrod Bowen (Foden, 74’) 5
Pressed well when he came on. Didn’t see much of the ball down his side of the pitch.
Morgan Rogers (Jones, 74’) 5
Took up a more advanced attacking midfield role as Jude Bellingham dropped back.
Jordan Henderson (Rice, 82’) N/A
His first appearance since November 2023.
Reece James (Lewis-Skelly, 90’) N/A
First cap since March 2023. Slotted in at left-back.
Not used: D. Henderson, Trafford, Guehi, Colwill, Eze, Solanke, Livramento
