England vs Albania LIVE: Debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly scores first goal of Thomas Tuchel era
The Three Lions begin their journey under Tuchel as qualifying for the 2026 World Cup gets underway
England take on Albania at Wembley in Thomas Tuchel’s first game in charge. The German coach has been appointed on an 18-month contract through to the 2026 World Cup and England begin that journey as their qualifying campaign gets underway.
Tuchel has wasted no time explaining where England fell short under Gareth Southgate, saying that he felt the team were “afraid” during last summer’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain. "I want us to play with excitement and the hunger and desire to win,” Tuchel said. “And the acceptance of failure is part of it, especially in football."
Tuchel arrives with an impressive CV, that includes winning the Champions League with Chelsea, and made a number of eye-catching calls when naming his first squad, including a recall for former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
Now all eyes are on Tuchel’s first England line-up, with Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final hero Dan Burn and Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly making their debuts alongside a recalled Marcus Rashford, as the Three Lions look to hit the ground running in their World Cup qualifying group.
Follow live updates from Wembley ahead of Tuchel’s first game in charge, below:
England 1-0 Albania
59 mins: Chance! Rashford takes flight down the left but is stopped by Ajeti. The move is revived by Bellingham, who is persistent. He clips a cross in for Kane, who gets in font of his marker.
Kane heads just past the post. Tuchel applauds. Better from Bellingham.
England 1-0 Albania
57 mins: Now Rashford is penalised - despite not touching Bajrami.
It’s been a very slow start to the second half from England.
England 1-0 Albania
54 mins: Walker is unlucky. He had skipped away from Aliji but is blown up for a foul after raising his boot.
England 1-0 Albania
51 mins: Frustration for Rashford as he looks to be impeded when chasing a pass forward down the left. The referee doesn’t see a foul.
England 1-0 Albania
48 mins: Albania with the first chance of the half. Bajrami works a yard of space and sends in a dangerous cross, but Burn is there to head clear at the back post.
England 1-0 Albania
46 mins: Back underway. Would like to see a bit more from Rashford and Foden in this half but they remain on the pitch after the restart.
HALF TIME! England 1-0 Albania
Bellingham was very close to adding England’s second as he arrived to meet Walker’s cross.
Bellingham has probably been England’s best player so far: he’s enjoying the free role behind Kane.
HALF TIME! England 1-0 Albania
A pretty average performance from England but a fairytale story as Myles Lewis-Skelly gets his name on the scoresheet in Thomas Tuchel’s first game in charge. He was almost joined by Dan Burn, who hit the bar from a late corner.
England lead at the break.
England 1-0 Albania
42 mins: OFF THE BAR! Dan Burn is so close to joining Myles Lewis-Skelly on the scoresheet. He arrives at the back post to meet Rice’s corner, but crashes the header against the woodwork!
England 1-0 Albania
40 mins: CLOSE! How is that not two! Great play from Walker, getting outside his full-back down the right. He hooks a cross back into the box and Bellingham arrives. His header is saved, and then Kane’s follow-up is somehow deflected over the bar!
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