England cruise to 5-0 win as Kane, Gordon, and Eze steal the show
England wrapped up their World Cup qualification with a routine 5-0 win in Riga, exploiting Latvia’s fragility to seal the long-awaited progression with the minimum of fuss. The headline act was Harry Kane, who added another brace to his already spectacular tally, but the night also belonged to Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze, whose early spark and late opportunism under Tuchel highlighted a squad firing on multiple cylinders ahead of the next summer’s tournament.
Kane’s continuing supremacy and a reminder of England’s goalscoring depth
Kane struck twice, continuing a narrative that often feels rehearsed yet remains devastatingly effective: a predatory presence in the box with the ability to both create and finish chances. His first meaningful moment came late in the first half, and though a Saka-assisted build-up claimed an offside in the initial phase, Kane’s second-half finishes were clinical reminders why he is still the go-to No. 9 for England. The goals brought him to a remarkable tally, underscoring his ongoing importance to the national side even as the squad evolves around him.
Gordon’s early impact and why he’s catching the eye
Anthony Gordon’s opener set the tone for the evening. The winger’s instinctive running and timing in the box forced Latvia onto the back foot, and his finish punctuated a performance that suggested he’s finding his footing under Tuchel’s approach. With Gordon providing width and directness, England looked dangerous on the counter and press with intent across periods of the game.
Teammates stepping forward: Eze and the late gloss
Eberechi Eze added gloss to the scoreline in the late stages, threading a sharp through ball for Spence before finishing himself after a Bowen setup. His cameo demonstrated England’s depth to stretch teams and produce a third different creator in one match. The substitutes’ impact underlined Tuchel’s squad management, ensuring a blend of fresh legs and familiar reliability in a game that was effectively decided by the break.
Defensive solidity and tactical notes
Defensively, England were seldom stretched by a Latvian side realizing the fixture’s inevitability. Ezri Konsa, deployed in his preferred central role, helped marshal the back line with John Stones providing the no-nonsense leadership you expect at this level. The right-back slot offered a more mixed bag for Djed Spence, who showed glimpses of his attacking promise but without the same intuitive chemistry he had shown on the left in recent games.
England’s broader picture ahead of the next window
The result secures the World Cup qualification mathematically, but the talking points now shift to selection, continuity, and how to balance a squad chasing glory with the realities of a tight fixture calendar. Kane’s goal tally continues to demand attention, Gordon’s emergence is a source of optimism, and Eze’s late contribution adds to a narrative of growing depth. While some players may view November’s break as a chance to fight for starting spots, others will reflect on how to convert these opportunities into consistent performance in tougher tests to come.
Final thoughts: a night of positives for England
In Riga, England demonstrated a well-rounded performance that balanced clinical finishing with creative flair. The 5-0 scoreline flatter the opposition only slightly; for England, it was a reminder that a squad capable of beautiful goals and robust defense can progress with the minimum fuss when presented with a lower-stakes fixture. With Kane firing, Gordon staking a claim, and Eze adding impact from the bench, the national team can head into the next window with confidence and a clear sense of direction.
