THOMAS TUCHEL becomes the 11th permanent England manager to win his opening game in charge.
Goals from Myles Lewis-Skelly and Harry Kane were enough to topple Albania as the Three Lions got their World Cup 2026 qualifying underway.
Jude Bellingham played a superb through-ball to set up the Arsenal teen, who became England’s youngest-ever debut scorer.
Twelve minutes from time, captain Kane controlled the ball expertly before placing his finish into the bottom corner from a few yards out to score his 70th England goal.
- Full-time result: England 2 Albania 0
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Further down the line
Here’s a glance at England’s next five matches, by which point Tuchel will be in his third international camp and will have put his stamp on this group of players.
What’s next?
So that’s the first game down on a run that Tuchel himself has said is a push to lift the World Cup in 2026.
What’s up next for the Three Lions?
England will be back at Wembley on Monday night to take on Latvia in their second World Cup qualifier.
Latvia managed a 1-0 win over Andorra last night and, as such, have effectively set up a top of the table clash.
Tuchel honest on wingers
Thomas Tuchel didn’t hold back in his assessment of the performances from Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden in the wide areas for England tonight.
We hope for more impact in these positions. More dribbling and more aggressive runs towards the box. In general that was missing.
The chances come from the little runs behind the line.
There was a bit missing they were not as decisive as they can be.
Thomas Tuchel
Player of the Match
As if his debut couldn’t get any better, Lewis-Skelly has been named as the Player of the Match.
Rice on Lewis-Skelly
Declan Rice had nothing but good things to say about his Arsenal teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly after a debut goal.
He told ITV: “He [Lewis-Skelly] is fearless. He does everything right off the pitch and he is only 18.
“I knew he was going to play like that tonight because of the confidence he has.
“He has kept his feet on the ground and it is only the start for him.”
Credit: Getty The boss’ thoughts
Thomas Tuchel has given an honest breakdown of England’s first performance under his control.
He said: “We can do better. We have to do better. We started quite well, we had lots of passes, high energy and lots of possession. But the opponent is hard to break down with a deep, deep block.
“Second half I felt we were too slow and not making enough runs off the ball to make more runs behind the line.”
Credit: Getty Match report
Take a read of what SunSport’s Dave Kidd thought of Tuchel’s first match in charge…
Bellingham pleased
Jude Bellingham has weighed in on the positives and negatives of a first victory under the new boss.
He said: “It was pretty good. We had clear ideas on what we wanted to do and how to play, but It’s difficult against a team that plays so compact, but generally we stuck to the plan well.”
Adding: “[We still need to work on] Keeping rhythm and tempo in the second half. Maybe a bit more clinical too. There’s still plenty to work on. We want to be able to kill these games off earlier”.
Credit: Getty Lewis-Skelly speaks
Myles Lewis-Skelly has spoken to ITV about his dream debut in an England shirt.
I’m lost for words. I’m so grateful that the manager put trust in me and the players too. Great pass from Jude. All I had to do was put it in the back of the net.
The fans made me feel at home. Thanks to them. [You’re England’s third youngest goalscorer behind Rooney and Owen]. That’s incredible! Amazing!
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Match stats
FT – England 2-0 Albania
FULL TIME.
It wasn’t a giant leap towards adding a second star to the England shirt, but maybe a baby step in the right direction.
Thomas Tuchel’s era has begun, and thanks to Myles Lewis-Skelly and Harry Kane it’s begun with a victory.
Full focus will now be on Monday’s clash with Latvia when England can build on this.
Job done.
Credit: PA 90′ England 2-0 Albania
We’re now into five minutes of added time and Thomas Tuchel will be very pleased.
They say the best win is one where there’s plenty for the manager to work on, and that’s exactly what Tuchel has tonight.
Glimpses of quality, a clean sheer and lots to change in the coming months.
89′ England 2-0 Albania – England sub
Just moments away from a first win under the Thomas Tuchel era now.
England are making one more change, a chance to give Lewis-Skelly some appreciation.
ON – Reece James
OFF – Myles Lewis-Skelly
Kane’s finish
Credit: Getty Credit: Reuters 85′ England 2-0 Albania
You certainly wouldn’t bet on this game going any other way than an England victory now.
It’s been straight forward for Thomas Tuchel’s men, who haven’t had to get out of second gear for the most part.
The new boss will be very please, but will still know there’s plenty to work on.
81′ England 2-0 Albania – plenty of changes
Straight after that goal there was two more changes for Albania.
Goalkeeper Strakosha was then forced off with an injury just a minute or so later, unable to continue with his earlier knock.
ON: Arber Hoxha
ON: Adrion Pajaziti
ON: Elhan KastratiOFF: Jasir Asani
OFF: Qazim Laci
OFF: Thomas StrakoshaEngland have also introduced Jordan Henderson.
ON: Jordan Henderson
OFF: Declan Rice
England 2-0 Albania – Kane scores
Is it England playing at Wembley if Harry Kane doesn’t score?
The Three Lions captain put his side two goals ahead with a world class touch and finish.
Declan Rice played a speculative ball to the back post, which Kane plucked out of the air before waiting for his moment and bending a shot into the bottom corner.
Lovely goal.
GOAL!!
HARRY KANE WITH A LOVELY TOUCH AND FINISH!
ENGLAND LEAD BY TWO!
76′ England 1-0 Albania
England have a corner, but we’re waiting for it to be taken.
Albania keeper Strakosha is down injured and receiving treatment.
75′ England 1-0 Albania – England subs
Three changes for Tuchel, and they’re ALL attacking minded.
Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen are both coming on to try and shake things up in the wide areas, while Morgan Rogers is coming on to add some spark in the middle of the park.
ON: Jarrod Bowen
ON: Anthony Gordon
ON: Morgan RogersOFF: Phil Foden
OFF: Marcus Rashford
OFF: Curtis Jones72′ England 1-0 Albania
Albania come once again!
Broja wins a header that send through Asani to run on to the loose b ball.
Fortunately Ezri Konsa comes across to make a great sliding challenge and deal with the danger.
England are readying some changes.
70′ England 1-0 Albania
Broja gets the better of Burn once again.
The Toffees talisman rolls the Newcastle defender after he tried to get too tight.
Unfortunately for Albania, Broja’s ball was picked off easily by Walker.
Warning signs for England.
66′ England 1-0 Albania
Broja makes an instant impact as he gets goalside of Dan Burn and makes a run into the box by the byline.
He can’t quite make a chance out of it, but it took Burn needing a handful of his shirt to stop the Everton striker.
64′ England 1-0 Albania – Albania sub
it’s the first change of the game and it’s for the visitors.
A familiar face to Premier League fans, on comes Armando Broja.
ON: Armando Broja
OFF: Nedim BajramiKnocking on the door
Credit: Getty Credit: Reuters
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
