England crush Latvia to seal World Cup qualification with style
England strengthened their grip on a World Cup berth with a 5-0 victory in Riga, exploiting familiar rivals’ slips and turning a routine qualifier into a demonstration of depth and evolving chemistry under Thomas Tuchel. Harry Kane struck twice, Anthony Gordon opened the scoring, and Eberechi Eze finished the scoring late on, while a flurry of substitutions offered a platform for squad experimentation.
Kane adds to the record, but Gordon and Eze steal some headlines
Kane’s performance was quintessentially prolific: a typically composed finish from the edge of the box for his first, followed by a serene penalty after a Latvia defender opted to switch shirts early in proceedings, an anecdote that underscored the one-sided nature of the night. Yet the subtler, more forward-looking narratives centered on Gordon and Eze. Gordon’s early goal demonstrated his growing reliability on the Tuchel system, with his pace and clever positioning causing Latvia trouble as England’s left side—assisted by Lewis-Skelly and Gordon himself—proved the more potent avenue for puncturing the hosts’ resilience.
Eze arrived to add a different dynamic, delivering a cross that bred the fifth goal and later finishing off a move he helped initiate. His appearance underlined a broader strategy from Tuchel: widen the attacking palette to ensure England can adapt to different opponents and match situations, particularly ahead of more exacting tests next summer.
Defensive solidity and a chance for squad rotation
The back line, anchored by John Stones’s commanding headers and a resilient midfield, held Latvia at bay with relative ease. Ezri Konsa slotted into a more natural central role after a previous appearance at right-back, while Djed Spence looked more comfortable on the flank closer to his natural position. The evening offered a chance for some players to prove their suitability for major tournaments and large-scale fixtures, with several substitutions late on allowing younger players to stake a claim for future involvement.
Declan Rice’s influence remained pivotal—his evolving understanding with teammates like Elliot Anderson continues to be a quiet engine room for England. Anderson himself showed glimpses of his ability to unlock defences, though a rare lapse in the second half reminded observers that even in a win, learning moments abound.
Bright individual spells and a broader context
Bukayo Saka, typically a fulcrum on England’s left, found the night less about him and more about others stepping into highlight roles. The energy on that flank, with Gordon and Lewis-Skelly pressing Latvia’s right, suggested a healthy competition for places and a clear message: England want to finish the qualification campaign with plenty of momentum and internal depth for the summer slate.
As Eze sealed his cameo with a well-taken goal, the overall picture for England was one of pragmatic efficiency married to potential. Kane’s scoring record continues to be remarkable, a reminder of why he remains central to England’s ambitions, even as a new generation begins to stake its claim under a manager keen to balance results with development.
Looking ahead
With qualification all but secured, Tuchel can envisage a more expansive squad, ready to challenge for honours with both experience and fresh energy. The Latvia result was a reminder that even qualifying wins can carry valuable insights into squad dynamics and tactical flexibility as England approach their next major tournaments.
