England continued their impeccable form under manager Thomas Tuchel, securing a seventh consecutive competitive victory with a 2-0 win over Serbia at Wembley Stadium. The Three Lions have now won all seven of their World Cup qualifying matches without conceding a single goal.
Foden's Impact from the Bench
Phil Foden, who entered the pitch as a second-half substitute alongside Jude Bellingham, made a significant impact on the game. The Manchester City star provided the assist for Eberechi Eze's late goal, marking his first direct goal involvement in 18 appearances for the national team.
Foden expressed his delight at being back with the squad, stating, "The smile is back!" He added, "It's amazing to be back. So happy to be back in the squad with these great players - I'm enjoying it." Foden also revealed he was deployed in a false nine role and felt it suited his game, creating chances and finding space effectively.
Saka Shines and Tuchel's Tactics
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for England, continuing his excellent form. Reflecting on the team's performance and the qualifying campaign, Saka said, "It was a performance we can be proud of, we got the win and we played well. It's been very successful, we've won every game and we want to keep building on."
Manager Thomas Tuchel praised the overall performance but admitted that qualification can sometimes be taken for granted by larger football nations. He explained his decision to start Morgan Rogers ahead of the renowned Jude Bellingham, highlighting Rogers' recent "three fantastic performances" and the need for tactical consistency with a recently changed pressing system.
Tuchel described the match as a useful challenge, noting, "It was difficult – sometimes a bit too open, sometimes we had to defend with everything we had." He reserved particular praise for the defensive unit, stating, "Compliments to the back four. They had to work hard and be focused all the time."
Looking Ahead to the World Cup
This match marked England's final competitive fixture at Wembley before next summer's World Cup, providing a positive send-off for the team and its supporters. The victory, built on a solid defence and decisive contributions from key players, reinforces England's status as a formidable force heading into the major tournament.
The team's perfect record, with seven wins and seven clean sheets, sets a strong foundation as they continue their preparations for the global competition.
