England moved to within one match of a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign after a professional 2-0 victory over Serbia at a rain-swept Wembley Stadium. In a game that offered several players a final chance to impress manager Thomas Tuchel before next summer's tournament, it was Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze who stole the show with spectacular second-half strikes.
Match Summary and Key Moments
The first half proved a cagey, subdued affair with England's experimental line-up struggling to find their rhythm against a disciplined Serbian defence. The most concerning moment for the home crowd came midway through the first period when first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford required medical attention after appearing to gesture towards his leg. Fortunately for both England and Everton, the shot-stopper was able to continue after treatment.
The deadlock was broken in spectacular fashion shortly after the interval. Following a blocked audacious effort from Nico O'Reilly, the ball fell invitingly to Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka on the edge of the penalty area. The 24-year-old unleashed a stunning left-footed volley that dipped viciously over Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajković and nestled perfectly in the far corner.
Individual Performances Catch the Eye
While the team's overall fluency was lacking, several individual displays gave Tuchel plenty to ponder. Marcus Rashford, enjoying a renewed lease of life at Barcelona, looked confident and dangerous throughout his time on the pitch. Stationed on the left flank, the on-loan Manchester United forward registered four shots, more than any other player, as he frequently cut inside to test the Serbian defence.
The second half also saw the welcome return of Jude Bellingham to the England set-up. The Real Madrid midfielder, who had been absent from recent squads, made a late substitute appearance and showed glimpses of the quality that makes him one of the Three Lions' most important assets.
Eze Makes His Case and Unbeaten Record in Sight
Perhaps the most compelling case for World Cup inclusion was made by Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze. Introduced as a substitute, the attacking midfielder immediately injected energy and creativity into the England attack. He was desperately unlucky not to score when one effort cannoned back off the woodwork, but he wasn't to be denied his moment. Eze capped a lively cameo with a superb late goal, firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner to seal the victory.
The result means England have now scored 19 goals without conceding any in their qualifying campaign. Thomas Tuchel's side need only avoid defeat against Albania in their final match to complete a perfect qualifying record. While questions remain about the team's fluency under the German manager, their statistical dominance in the qualifying group is undeniable.
