Thomas Tuchel started his England tenure with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Albania in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
The new England boss opted to hand a debut to 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, who required just 19 minutes to become the youngest player to score in his first game for the Three Lions.
Lewis-Skelly’s fellow debutant Dan Burn crashed a header off the crossbar, as the hosts continued to create chances in a commanding first period at Wembley.
As it proved, England had to wait until the final 15 minutes of the contest to double their lead, with Harry Kane producing a finish of the highest quality to register his 70th international goal.
The Three Lions saw out the closing stages to clinch three points and a clean sheet, marking a positive start to the road to next year’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Tuchel’s first victory extended England’s unbeaten record in World Cup qualifying to 31 matches – a run which stretches back to October 2009.
SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT
© Imago
The signs were certainly positive in the first half of Tuchel’s tenure, with England creating numerous opportunities following Lewis-Skelly’s early opener.
The England boss may have been frustrated that there was a small drop-off in the second period, which allowed Albania to move into dangerous positions on a couple of occasions.
Nevertheless, the Three Lions still dominated the contest and more than deserved a second goal when it eventually arrived in the 77th minute.
Tuchel will be fully aware that there will be much tougher tests to come down the line, but he would have still been relieved to avoid any surprises in his first game as an international coach.
ENGLAND VS. ALBANIA HIGHLIGHTS
Lewis-Skelly goal vs. Albania (19th min, England 1-0 Albania)
Myles Lewis-Skelly on his debut! 🤩
The first @England goal of the Thomas Tuchel era#ITVFootball | #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/y9BvWydGt8
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 21, 2025
It’s a dream start for Tuchel and Lewis-Skelly. The young full-back makes the run in behind to provide the first-time finish from Jude Bellingham‘s inch-perfect ball, guiding a left-foot shot through Thomas Strakosha‘s legs to mark his debut with a goal.
Kane goal vs. Albania (77th min, England 2-0 Albania)
A world class finish from Harry Kane! 👌
Goal number 70 for @England‘s all-time top goalscorer #ITVFootball | #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/5kGsjhwbDy
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 21, 2025
England finally get the insurance of a second goal. Kane calmly brings down Declan Rice‘s clipped cross, before he waits for the opportune moment to steer a right-foot shot into the far corner to make sure of all three points.
MAN OF THE MATCH – MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY
© Imago
Several players stood out for England, but we think Lewis-Skelly deserves the nod after producing the performance of a seasoned professional rather than a teenager making his debut.
The youngster showed great intent when he made a darting run in behind to slot home, easing any nerves he and his manager may have had on their big days.
The Arsenal defender will face fiercer challenges from a defensive perspective, but as debuts go, he could not have wished for anything better.
We should also note there were impressive displays from Rice, Bellingham and Kane, who will continue to be key players in the Tuchel era.
ENGLAND VS. ALBANIA MATCH STATS
Possession: England 74%-26% Albania
Shots: England 12-3 Albania
Shots on target: England 6-0 Albania
Corners: England 4-1 Albania
Fouls: England 9-7 Albania
BEST STATS
18 – Aged 18 years and 176 days, Myles Lewis-Skelly is the youngest player in history to score on his senior England debut, surpassing Marcus Rashford’s record of 18 years and 209 days v Australia in May 2016. Rise. pic.twitter.com/wG4M3XLoDV
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 21, 2025
437 – England completed 437 passes in the first half against Albania, their most in the first half of any match on Opta’s records in any competition. Implementation. pic.twitter.com/cI1WMYSmZW
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 21, 2025
Declan Rice (5) has created the most chances by any player on the pitch vs Albania.
He also has an assist. pic.twitter.com/1JK2nuCbE7
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) March 21, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
After starting a new era with a win, England will be back at Wembley on Monday for their second qualifier against Latvia.
As for Albania, they will look to claim the first win of their World Cup qualifying campaign when they face Andorra in Tirana on Monday.
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