England concluded their flawless World Cup qualifying campaign by securing a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Albania. Harry Kane netted two goals in the second half, propelling the Three Lions to a perfect record of eight wins from eight matches.
Manager Thomas Tuchel made significant changes for the match in Tirana, with seven alterations from the previous win against Serbia, including the notable decision to field Jude Bellingham instead of Morgan Rogers.
Despite Albania’s efforts to secure a spot in the play-offs, they posed a tough challenge early on, forcing England to wait over 30 minutes for their first major opportunity, eventually leading to a corner following a strike by Jarrod Bowen.
While England had maintained a clean sheet in their first seven matches, Albania managed to create chances, with goalkeeper Dean Henderson called into action for two crucial saves.
However, with less than 20 minutes remaining in the game, Harry Kane capitalized on a corner from Bukayo Saka to break the deadlock. Kane then sealed the victory with a second header, marking his 78th goal for the national team.
England heads to the World Cup after a qualifying campaign that not only saw them secure eight wins but also maintain a clean sheet in all eight matches.
Mirror Sport’s Chief Football Writer John Cross, who was present in Albania, provided player ratings following the triumph.
– Dean Henderson put in a solid performance with key saves and a crucial tackle, solidifying his position as the next in line after Pickford.
– Jarell Quansah, making his England debut, appeared uncomfortable playing as a center back instead of his usual position at right back.
– John Stones stood out as one of England’s top defenders and players, demonstrating versatility by stepping into midfield when needed.
– Dan Burn’s performance was marred by subpar ball control despite his threat in the air due to his height.
– Nico O’Reilly showcased his defensive abilities with strong tracking back and determined defending.
– Adam Wharton, making his first start, displayed moments of quality despite receiving a booking.
– Jude Bellingham impressed with his exceptional work rate, quality play, and proving his value as England’s X Factor.
– Declan Rice put in a tireless effort but appeared to tire in the second half after covering extensive ground.
– Jarrod Bowen delivered a solid performance, always making an impact whenever given the opportunity.
– Eberechi Eze missed a scoring chance due to a fine save and struggled to make an impact while deployed on the left flank.
– Harry Kane, the standout performer, demonstrated his prowess as England’s Captain Marvel, fulfilling his role as a goal scorer effectively.
Substitutions:
– Foden replaced Rice in the 63rd minute.
– Saka came on for Eze in the 63rd minute.
– Anderson replaced Wharton in the 75th minute.
– Rashford substituted for Bowen in the 75th minute.
– Rogers replaced Bellingham in the 84th minute.
Overall, Harry Kane was named the Man of the Match, setting records, scoring goals, and delivering a flawless performance throughout the game.