London, March 21, 2025 – Thomas Tuchel made a winning start as England manager with a 2-0 victory against Albania in their opening World Cup qualifier at Wembley. The German tactician, England’s third non-British manager, saw his team secure three points, but the performance left much to be desired as the hosts struggled to entertain the sell-out crowd of 82,378.
Myles Lewis-Skelly made history by scoring the first goal of the Tuchel era in the first half, becoming the youngest player to score on his England debut at 18 years and 176 days. Harry Kane, England’s record goal-scorer, added a second in the closing stages to put a gloss on the result, but the overall display showed there is still much work to be done.
A Workmanlike Performance Under New Management
Tuchel, who replaced Gareth Southgate after an eight-year tenure, is known for his tactical acumen and high-intensity pressing football. However, his England debut was more about pragmatism than spectacle. The team dominated possession but lacked the cutting edge to dismantle Albania effectively. While a solid defensive structure was evident, the match bore similarities to the sometimes uninspired performances of the Southgate era.
England lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with debuts handed to Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Newcastle’s Dan Burn. Marcus Rashford, currently enjoying a resurgence on loan at Aston Villa, also earned a start. While all three players performed competently, England’s approach was methodical rather than dynamic.
Tuchel’s animated presence in the technical area was a notable feature of the match. He was frequently seen making notes, urging his players to press high, and applauding their defensive discipline. However, he refrained from singing the English national anthem before kick-off, stating that he needed to "earn the right" to do so—an admission that England fans will expect improvements before fully embracing his leadership.
Lewis-Skelly’s Record-Breaking Moment
The breakthrough came in the 20th minute, thanks to a moment of brilliance from Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid midfielder showcased his vision and composure by turning smartly in midfield before threading a perfectly weighted pass to Lewis-Skelly. The young Arsenal defender, timing his run to perfection, calmly slotted the ball past Albania’s goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, marking a dream debut.
Tuchel celebrated the goal with a fist pump and a sheepish grin, acknowledging the significance of the moment. However, Albania nearly responded immediately when Qazim Laci’s cross caused panic in the England box. Burn’s attempted clearance ricocheted off the crossbar before he recovered to head the ball off the line.
England had further chances before halftime. Bellingham’s diving header was well saved by Strakosha, and Kane’s follow-up effort was bravely blocked by Berat Djimsiti. Burn, who scored in Newcastle’s League Cup final victory at Wembley just days earlier, nearly repeated the feat with a towering header that rattled the crossbar.
A Flat Atmosphere and a Late Knockout Blow
Despite the positive start, England’s performance failed to ignite the Wembley crowd, which had unfurled a banner reading "Welcome to the home of football, Thomas" before kick-off. The lack of intensity and fluid attacking play contributed to a subdued atmosphere, in stark contrast to the passion of Premier League football that Tuchel aims to replicate with his national team.
In the second half, England continued to control possession but struggled to break down a deep-lying Albania side. Kane headed narrowly wide from another Bellingham cross, while Rashford and Phil Foden had little space to operate against Albania’s compact defense.
England finally secured the win in the 77th minute when Declan Rice delivered a precise cross into the box. Kane, showing his trademark composure, swiveled and curled a shot into the far corner from ten yards out, taking his international goal tally to 70. The Bayern Munich striker had made headlines the day before by stating that people were "bored" of his goal-scoring exploits, but his late strike reaffirmed his importance to England’s attack.
Encouraging Signs but Work to Be Done
Tuchel avoided becoming the first England manager since Bobby Robson in 1982 to fail to win his opening game, but the performance suggested there is significant room for improvement. England’s control of possession was evident, but their creativity and finishing left much to be desired. The challenge for Tuchel will be to inject more dynamism into the team while maintaining the defensive solidity that was on display.
Looking ahead, England will host Latvia on Monday in their second Group K fixture. While Albania posed a respectable challenge, stronger opponents lie ahead on the road to the 2026 World Cup. Tuchel will be keen to build on this victory and refine his tactical approach as he seeks to stamp his authority on the national team.
For now, England fans can take solace in the fact that their team got off to a winning start. However, the expectations will only grow, and Tuchel will need to deliver more compelling performances to convince the doubters that he is the right man to lead England to glory on the world stage.
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