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 2-0 Albania
82 mins: Back underway. Jordan Henderson is back in an England shirt at Wembley. The former Liverpool captain gets a warm reception.
It wasn’t too long ago that he was booed here after joining a club in Saudi Arabia. He has since moved to Ajax.
England 2-0 Albania
81 mins: The defending from the Albania defender Ajeti was rubbish, as he jumped in for a ball he was never going to win.
Kane said thank you very much as he shrugged him off and found the corner.
There has been a stoppage as Albania’s goalkeeper Strakosha can’t continue.
GOAL! England 2-0 Albania (KANE 77')
WHO ELSE! ANOTHER GOAL FOR KANE!
Oh this is quality from the captain! Out of nothing, he lurks at the back post, brings down Rice’s cross and then steers a finish across goal and into the corner.
70 goals for England - and that is a proper striker’s goal.
England 1-0 Albania
76 mins: There’s a stoppage as Albania goalkeeper Strakosha receives treatment. He came out for the ball and missed as Kane won his header.
England 1-0 Albania
73 mins: Time for the changes at last: Gordon, Bowen and Morgan Rogers are on. They replace Rashford, Foden and Jones.
England’s wingers didn’t really have an impact today. Jones was a bit brighter in midfield.
England 1-0 Albania
71 mins: Bellingham looks to surge forward, with Rashford in support, but Albania win it back.
At the other end, Konsa is required to make a brilliant piece of defending! The ball forward had missed Burn, but Konsa swept up in behind and beat Asllani to the ball!
Albania look more threatening at the moment. England are still waiting to make their changes.
England 1-0 Albania
68 mins: More danger for England! Broja beats Burn for pace for a second time but Walker cleans up in the box, keeping calm despite facing a two-on-one. Jones then shows a clear head to play his way out of danger and get England on the attack.
Broja has lifted Albania.
England 1-0 Albania
65 mins: Almost an impact from Broja! He had the beating of Burn around the outside but Konsa steps acoss and shields it back to Pickford.
Antony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen look to be coming on. I would imagine Foden and Rashford will make way.
England 1-0 Albania
62 mins: Albania make the first change of the match and bring on Armando Broja. It’s stalled England’s momentum.
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