England cruised to a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Wales in a friendly at Wembley, with goals from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Bukayo Saka inside the first 20 minutes effectively ending the contest. The win extended Thomas Tuchel's perfect start as England manager, following September's 5-0 World Cup qualifying triumph against Serbia.
Rogers opened his England account with a first-time finish after Marc Guéhi kept the ball alive from a corner, before turning provider for Watkins' tap-in from close range. Saka then added a trademark curling effort into the top corner, leaving Wales manager Craig Bellamy to rue his side's passive defending. Bellamy had earlier noted the gulf in class between the teams, a prediction that proved accurate as England dominated the first half.
Tuchel made one notable change to his lineup, starting John Stones for the first time alongside Marc Guéhi, with Ezri Konsa shifted to right-back. The manager opted to rest Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, but Rogers' display in the number 10 role justified the decision. Anthony Gordon also impressed on the left, tormenting Wales right-back Neco Williams throughout the opening period.
Wales improved after the break and went close to a consolation goal late on, but England's early blitz had already sealed the win. The result sets up Tuchel's side for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Latvia in Riga, where a victory would secure automatic qualification for the tournament.
