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England kept up their awesome start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a solid 3–0 win over Latvia at Wembley. Under new manager Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions showed off their skills and sharp finishing, extending their unbeaten home record in World Cup qualifiers to 30 matches (27 wins, 3 draws). After kicking off Tuchel’s reign with a smooth 2–0 win over Albania on Friday, England kept the energy going on Saturday with a fast-paced, attacking game. The match featured a memorable goal from Reece James, followed by two great finishes from Harry Kane and substitute Eberechi Eze.
England’s dominance was clear from the start as they controlled the game and pushed forward non-stop. Early on, Latvia almost equalized when Vladislavs Gutkovskis missed a close-range chance after a mix-up between Marc GuĂ©hi and Jordan Pickford. Luckily for England, they kept up their attacking game.
The breakthrough came in the 20th minute. In a moment that showed England’s skill on set pieces, Reece James curled a perfect free-kick into the top corner—his first international goal—setting the vibe for the match. While Latvia started to find their footing as the half went on, England’s control in the final third was clear.
With the pressure on, England went for a second goal in the second half. In the 68th minute, a slick move saw Declan Rice send a low cross from the left, which Harry Kane tapped in at the back post for his 71st international goal. This not only doubled England’s lead but also took the wind out of Latvia’s sails. Finally, with just 15 minutes left, substitute Eberechi Eze took advantage of a defensive slip to score a low, deflected shot, sealing the win and leaving no chance for a comeback.
Jude Bellingham kept being the creative star, making things happen with sharp passes—even if he didn’t score—and helping England keep up the pace. Captain Harry Kane, always the go-to finisher, came through when it counted with his second goal, proving that his leadership and experience are super important for the team.
Declan Rice’s spot-on delivery set up Kane’s finish, and his overall play in midfield showed how well England balanced defense and attack. On the flip side, Latvia’s players had a tough time breaking through England’s solid defense. Even with some determined efforts and a few close-range chances saved by England’s keeper, Latvia’s performance just couldn’t match England’s efficiency and quality.
Thomas Tuchel’s game plan was on full display as England mixed high pressing with solid defense. The Three Lions set up tight, making it tough for Latvia to find any attacking rhythm. Tuchel’s squad pressed hard in midfield, forcing turnovers that quickly turned into dangerous set-piece chances.
Set-pieces were key for England. Reece James’s free-kick, curling perfectly into the top corner, showed off the careful training that’s become a trademark of this new era. By focusing on quick transitions and taking advantage of Latvia’s weak aerial defense, England turned ordinary situations into game-winning moments.
On offense, England aimed to control the ball and set the pace, even if possession stats were pretty even. Their knack for creating high-quality chances—thanks to Rice’s precise passes and Kane’s sharp finishing—was way more effective than Latvia’s cautious counter-attacks. Defensively, England held their shape, limiting Latvia’s chances despite some pressure, and ultimately shut down any attempts to break through.
Following England’s 3–0 World Cup qualifying victory over Latvia, the post-match interviews have provided valuable insights from both players and management. England defender Reece James told The Times, “It’s been a long time, I’ve had a frustrating two and a half years – I’m so happy to be called up for my country again and I’m happy to play.” This remark underlines his relief and determination after a lengthy injury setback. Equally, The Guardian captured manager Thomas Tuchel’s measured response as he admitted, “We had to unlock it,” referring to the tactical challenges faced when breaking down Latvia’s organized defence.
On the Latvian side, their manager felt a mix of pride in his team’s spirit and disappointment for not converting chances into goals. “We showed determination, but against a team like this, we need to be sharper. There’s a lot to take away from today’s game,” he said.
The match stats tell a fun story about England’s efficiency and skill. England totally owned the game with about 74% possession compared to Latvia’s 26%. But it wasn’t just about keeping the ball—the quality of their chances made all the difference. England fired off 27 shots, with 8 on target, while Latvia only managed 3 attempts, with just 1 on target.
The set-piece area was where the magic happened. According to Flashscore report England racked up 10 corners to Latvia’s 2, and that led directly to Reece James’ goal. Their disciplined yet tough approach showed, with England committing 11 fouls to Latvia’s 13.
Passing was key too—England nailed 694 passes with a sweet 95% accuracy, showing off their smooth build-up play. On the flip side, Latvia struggled with 254 passes at 77% accuracy, highlighting their tough time under pressure. Plus, the expected goals (xG) model was all about England, sitting at 3.53 compared to Latvia’s 0.31, showcasing the quality of chances created by the Three Lions and their total dominance.
This match has some great takeaways for England as they kick off their World Cup qualifying journey. First up, set-piece skills are super important! Reece James’s free-kick and the clever routine that led to a goal are things they need to sharpen up to keep that success rolling in future games.
Next, blending youthful energy with smart tactics really shone through in England’s play. Young stars like Lewis-Skelly can create those magical moments that turn a game around. Plus, having seasoned pros like Harry Kane adds to the team’s strength and finishing touch.
On the defensive side, the match showed how crucial it is to keep a solid structure, even under pressure. England did a great job limiting Latvia’s chances with high pressing and a tight formation. On the flip side, Latvia struggled to create clear opportunities, even with some standout individual plays, proving that good possession needs to be paired with sharp execution.
England:
Riding high after a great start to their World Cup qualifying campaign and an awesome debut from Myles Lewis-Skelly, England is ready to keep the momentum going in the coming weeks. With Tuchel’s tactics starting to click, the focus now is on staying consistent and sharpening those set-piece routines. The upcoming matches will challenge the team to adapt to different styles, but this win at Wembley gives them a solid base to build on.
Latvia:
For Latvia, the 3–0 loss is a tough reminder of how crucial it is to finish chances and stay cool under pressure. They really need to work on turning possession into real scoring opportunities if they want to compete in future qualifiers. The coaching staff will probably focus on tightening up the defense and improving their attacking transitions. Even with the loss, Latvia is looking to regroup and use this experience to grow in the qualifying campaign.
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