England have completed a perfect World Cup qualifying campaign under manager Thomas Tuchel, securing eight victories from eight games without conceding a single goal. The Three Lions capped their remarkable run with a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Albania in Tirana on Sunday night.
Albania Provide Stern Test
This was far from a straightforward encounter for the visitors. Albania, already assured of second place in the group, played with impressive ambition and aggression in front of their passionate supporters. The home side created several dangerous opportunities, with left-sided attacker Arber Hoxha particularly threatening and coming close to scoring twice in the second half.
For long periods, England struggled to establish control, registering their lowest half-time expected goals (0.3) of Tuchel's tenure. The match felt like a proper test played in a febrile atmosphere, with England's main weakness appearing to be a lack of attacking width.
Kane Delivers When It Matters
As Albania visibly tired in the latter stages, England captain Harry Kane stepped up with two close-range finishes to secure the victory. These goals took his international tally to 78 from 112 appearances, moving him ahead of the legendary Pelé, who scored 77 goals in 92 games.
This performance showcased Kane operating in more advanced positions compared to the previous match against Serbia, where he frequently dropped deep. His effective partnership with Jude Bellingham created numerous opportunities, demonstrating the attacking shape Tuchel wants to implement.
Tuchel's Tactical Flexibility
In a notable tactical shift, Tuchel brought Phil Foden on for the final half-hour to join Kane and Bellingham in attack - despite having suggested days earlier that the three couldn't play together effectively. The move paid immediate dividends as England scored twice with all three on the pitch.
Jude Bellingham excelled in the debated number ten role behind Kane, showing the positional discipline his national team coach has demanded. Though visibly frustrated when substituted late in the game, Bellingham's performance underlined his importance to the team structure.
John Stones delivered another commanding performance in his hybrid defensive-midfield role, frequently stepping into midfield to initiate attacks. His ability to advance possession proved crucial in breaking down organised defences.
With the qualifying campaign now complete, Thomas Tuchel has guided England to nine victories from his ten games in charge. The team won't reconvene until March friendly matches, leaving the manager hoping his key players emerge unscathed from the demanding domestic winter schedule.
