England ease to comfortable win over Latvia
England 3 - 0 Latvia
Thomas Tuchel made it two wins from two as England manager with a World Cup qualifying victory over Latvia at Wembley.
Just as in their previous match against Albania, England found themselves frustrated for long spells against a side ranked 140th in the world before finally converting dominance into goals.
Chelsea captain Reece James marked his first England start since September 2022 with a superb free kick from 20 yards, curling the ball into the net seven minutes before half time.
Despite controlling possession, England struggled to extend their lead as Latvia defended doggedly. That changed in the 68th minute when Harry Kane turned in his 71st international goal from Declan Rice’s cross.
With Latvia tiring, substitute Eberechi Eze added a third with a deflected strike 14 minutes from time, scoring his first England goal.
The result saw Tuchel become the first England men’s manager to win his opening two competitive matches since Fabio Capello in 2008.
A closer look at what happened at Wembley
England started on the front foot, penning Latvia deep inside their own half. Jarrod Bowen and Marcus Rashford looked particularly lively on the flanks, with Rashford almost setting up Jude Bellingham inside three minutes. England’s number ten also saw an effort blocked as the hosts probed for an early breakthrough.
Bowen then met a cross from Rashford but failed to connect cleanly, sending his effort out for a goal kick. The West Ham forward also lashed a shot wide later in the half.
Latvia had barely threatened, but they almost stunned Wembley on 18 minutes when Roberts Savaļnieks' delivery found Raivis Jurkovskis, who could only find the side netting.
England responded with a spell of pressure, and only a fine reflex save from Krisjanis Zviedris denied Ezri Konsa from close range. Kane then headed over from seven yards as the frustration grew.
Latvia’s deep defensive setup made life difficult, but the deadlock was finally broken after 37 minutes. James stepped up and curled a stunning free kick beyond Zviedris to give England a deserved lead.
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Jordan Pickford was called into action just before the break, comfortably dealing with a strike from Alvis Jaunzems. Moments later, debutant Morgan Rogers saw his first-time effort kept out by the Latvian goalkeeper following a cutback from Bowen.
England remained in control after the restart, with Kane inches away from doubling the lead just after the hour mark. Bellingham played him in, but the captain’s guided effort drifted just wide of the left post.
Kane would not be denied for long. After good work from Rashford and Rogers on the right, Rice delivered a low cross, which the striker tapped in from close range on 68 minutes.
As England pushed for a third, Eze put the result beyond doubt inside the final 15 minutes. The Crystal Palace midfielder weaved into the box and fired in a shot that took a deflection off Antonijs Cernomordijs before finding the net.
Tuchel’s England continue to build momentum, but tougher tests lie ahead.
