England cruise to a 5-0 victory in Riga
England took full advantage of their rivals’ frailties to seal a convincing 5-0 win over Latvia in Riga, a result that mathematically guarantees their place at the next World Cup with the minimum of fuss. The night belonged to Harry Kane’s continued goal-scoring form, but there were notable contributions across the team as Gareth Southgate restated England’s qualification credentials.
Kane’s consistent supply of goals
Harry Kane was at the heart of England’s threat, scoring two more goals to bring his international tally to a remarkable figure. He struck in the 20-yard range and converted from the spot after a Latvia defender appeared to swap shirts a shade too early, underscoring his predatory instincts. The goals were a reminder of Kane’s status as England’s primary forward and his ability to produce when needed most in a low-stakes fixture.
A breakthrough for Anthony Gordon
Perhaps the weekend’s standout moment came from Anthony Gordon, who opened the scoring with a fine finish that showcased his pace and composure. Gordon’s performance under Tuchel has people looking towards next summer with growing optimism, as he continues to stake a claim on the left side of England’s attack. The strike also highlighted an attacking symmetry down England’s left flank and added another dimension to the team’s forward line.
Gordon’s influence and the broader attack
Gordon’s intelligent movement and willingness to press Latvia’s back line helped England create chances beyond Kane’s goals. Alongside Gordon, the left-sided link with Myles Lewis-Skelly produced some fluid attacks during the opening hour, while Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka rotated responsibilities to keep Latvia guessing. The overall balance suggested a depth of attacking options that could trouble tougher opponents in the coming fixtures.
Eze adds gloss and late game clarity
Eberechi Eze arrived to add a late flourish, threading a through ball to unlock a vulnerable Latvian defence for the fifth goal and then converting his own opportunity after a well-worked sequence with Bowen. It was a reminder of the depth available to Southgate and a clear signal that England can rotate without losing their edge against lesser opposition.
Defensive solidity and key midfielders
Jordan Pickford remained a steady presence at the back, while a disciplined display from the defense kept Latvia largely at bay. In midfield, Declan Rice continued to be a fulcrum, linking play and setting the tempo, with the evolving partnership between Rice and Elliot Anderson earning plaudits for its composure and balance in control of the match.
Evaluating the substitutes and squad dynamics
With a comfortable lead, Gareth Southgate brought on a host of replacements, including Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford, to maintain sharpness and give opportunities to those awaiting their chances. The substitutions were in keeping with a game that had the feel of a routine, allowing England to protect their shape while giving fringe players meaningful minutes ahead of the summer tournament schedule.
Standout performances and the road ahead
While Kane’s brace will dominate headlines, the night offered a broader sense of England’s options. Gordon’s early goal, Eze’s late seal, and the steady midfield control all pointed to a squad with balance, depth, and ambition. As qualification is secured with several fixtures to spare, attention will turn to how Southgate utilises his squad in the run-up to the next major tournament and how England adapt to tougher tests on the road.
