Thomas Tuchel unimpressed as new England era begins with with over Albania - reaction
England 2-0 Albania: Lewis-Skelly made history as the youngest player to score on his debut as the 18-year-old scored the first goal of the Tuchel era
Thomas Tuchel said England “have to do better” after overseeing a 2-0 win over Albania in his first game in charge, with Myles Lewis-Skelly scoring on his debut and Harry Kane grabbing his 70th international goal at Wembley
Lewis-Skelly, one of two England debutants along with Dan Burn on Tuchel’s first game in charge, scored the first goal of the German’s new era as the 18-year-old converted Jude Bellingham’s through ball in a fairytale moment.
But the second half of England’s opening World Cup qualifying fixture was not overly convincing, with Albania carrying some threat. Captain Kane made sure of the three points as he steered in a composed finish in the 77th minute.
There is work for Tuchel to do but England made a winning start on their road to the 2026 World Cup and they will return to Wembley on Monday for another qualifier against Latvia. "We can do better, we have to do better,” Tuchel said.
Follow all the reaction from Tuchel’s first game in charge at Wembley 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!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
0Comments