England delivered their most impressive performance under head coach Thomas Tuchel on Tuesday, securing a resounding 5-0 victory over Serbia in a 2026 World Cup qualifier. The dominant win at Belgrade’s Rajko Mitic Stadium puts England in a commanding position to qualify for the tournament, now needing just five points from their final three matches.
Captain Harry Kane opened the scoring for England in the 33rd minute, heading home a corner from Declan Rice for his 74th international goal. The lead was doubled just two minutes later by Noni Madueke, who scored his first goal for the senior team with a swift run and a clinical finish.
The second half saw a continuation of England’s control. Ezri Konsa also scored his debut international goal in the 52nd minute, netting at the far post. Serbia’s night went from bad to worse when captain Nikola Milenkovic was sent off for a foul on Kane. From the resulting free-kick, Marc Guehi scored England’s fourth goal in the 75th minute, his first for the national team. Substitute Marcus Rashford completed the rout with a late penalty, awarded after Ollie Watkins was fouled in the box.
The victory was a stark contrast to England’s previous qualifying matches under Tuchel, which had been characterized by uninspired performances. This comprehensive win, marked by an attacking fluidity and defensive solidity, vindicated Tuchel’s pre-match assertion that his team was ready to elevate its level of play. The result also saw goalkeeper Jordan Pickford equal a national record with his seventh consecutive clean sheet.
Despite a brief interruption in the first half when lasers were shone at England defender Ezri Konsa by Serbian fans, the match was largely one-sided. England’s next competitive fixture is an away qualifier against Latvia on October 14.
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