England 2-0 Serbia: Saka and Eze Shine for Three Lions

England 2-0 Serbia: Saka and Eze seal the win

England ran out comfortable winners as Bukayo Saka’s superb volley unlocked the scoring and Eberechi Eze added a second late on, clinching a three-point friendly win over Serbia. Under the watchful eye of head coach Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions delivered a measured performance that combined controlled build-up with sharp directness in the final third.

Debuts and selections shape the XI

Tuchel handed a competitive debut to Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly, a midfielder trusted for his pace and ball progression from deep. The lineup also featured Morgan Rogers starting ahead of Jude Bellingham, a decision that sparked discussion among fans and pundits alike. The arrangement gave England a different balance through the middle, with Rogers providing ballast and running beyond the lone striker when the team attacked.

England’s formation looked to maximize width and tempo, with Saka drifting between the right channel and the inside-right position to create overloads. Beyond the starting XI, the squad carried a sense of purpose, aiming to inject pace and precision into the rhythm of the game while safeguarding their structure against Serbia’s counter-pressing approach.

Saka’s moment of magic sets the tone

The opener arrived midway through the first half when Saka received a short pass inside the box, steadied himself, and unleashed a clinical volley that found the bottom corner. The finish showcased his composure under pressure and his ability to convert chances with high-velocity strikes. The goal energized England and demonstrated the team’s ability to break Serbia’s lines with a quick, decisive moment in the final third.

England press, Serbia rarely escape

England’s pressing intensity was evident in the closing stages of the first half and into the early part of the second. The defense stayed compact, limiting Serbia’s opportunities to counter-attacks, while the midfield trio—bolstered by O’Reilly’s industry—shored up transitions and allowed the full-backs to push higher up the pitch. Serbia’s pockets of possession were often snuffed out by quick switches of play and well-timed intercepts.

Eze seals the result late on

With the match opening up as Serbia pushed forward in search of a lifeline, England capitalized on a moment of danger at the other end. Eberechi Eze latched onto a loose ball in midfield, drove forward with pace, and finished confidently to make it 2-0. The substitute’s goal underscored England’s depth and creative flexibility, and it offered a glimpse of the squad’s potential to blend flair with efficiency when the game demands it.

Tactical takeaways for Tuchel and the squad

Tuchel’s decision to rotate and experiment with personnel paid dividends in the attacking phase, as players like Saka and Eze demonstrated the level of quality available to the national team. The shift in personnel allowed for a more fluid frontline, with Saka’s movement creating space for runners from midfield. O’Reilly’s debut added a measure of balance in midfield, allowing England to press and recover the ball higher up the pitch and transition quickly into attack.

What’s next for England

With a win in the bag and a blend of established stars and upcoming talent showing promise, England head into the next window with confidence. Tuchel will likely refine the balance between attack and defense, testing the depth of the squad while maintaining a clear playing philosophy. The display suggested a potential path for the team to maximize their width, exploit turnovers, and continue to develop a dangerous attacking unit that can hurt teams with both pace and precision.