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 0-0 Albania
13 mins: A touch for Jones in the box, but pinned onto the byline. He almost wriggles through to set up Kane but Albania clear.
England 0-0 Albania
12 mins: Dan Burn wins a bullet header on the halfway line, after Albania went long. It almost leads to an England chance as Kane, dropping deep, spins a ball towards Rashford. It runs a touch too long and Albania clear.
England 0-0 Albania
11 mins: A first proper touch for Rashford, but he can’t find Bellingham with the pull-back.
Rashford goes again but there’s no room in the box and England’s move breaks down. Walker quickly regains it and England start again.
England 0-0 Albania
10 mins: Lewis-Skelly passes his first little defensive test, as he scampers back to cut out the pass from Asani and draws a foul facing his own goal.
England 0-0 Albania
7 mins: I think we’ve all seen England games at Wembley where they dominate the ball as the opposition sit deep... and very little happens. Let’s see if Tuchel’s England can find a way through because Albania have everyone positioned behind the ball.
A long switch to Foden goes out of play.
England 0-0 Albania
4 mins: After a period of two to three minutes on the ball, Walker clips a pass to Bellingham, who breaks into the box. It almost falls to the Real Madrid star but Albania clear.
England 0-0 Albania
2 mins: Plenty of early touches for the England midfield, with Jones, Rice and Bellingham seeing lots of it. Albania are very deep. Foden and Rashford are staying wide, and Kane is keeping clear on the edge of the box.
England 0-0 Albania
1 min: Albania are no mugs. They scored after just 30 seconds against Italy at the Euros. Fortunately for Tuchel, England have avoided that at Wembley. Pickford takes an early free kick long.
KICK-OFF! England 0-0 Albania
We are underway at Wembley! The Thomas Tuchel era has started.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments