Chelsea defender Reece James produced a standout display to help England claim a 3-0 victory over Latvia in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
After overseeing a 2-0 win over Albania, Thomas Tuchel opted to make four changes for his second game in charge, offering starting opportunities to James, Marc Guehi, Jarrod Bowen and Morgan Rogers.
The Three Lions experienced a frustrating first half until James conjured up a special free kick to score his first England goal in his 18th international appearance.
Kane made it two in the second period to make his mark on a night where he moved level with Billy Wright on England's all-time appearance list with the Bayern Munich striker earning his 105th cap.
There was still plenty of time left for Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze to join James in opening his international account, sealing a comfortable victory even if the performance was uninspiring at times.
Tuchel will ultimately be pleased to start his tenure with consecutive victories without conceding, leaving the Three Lions three points clear at the top of Group K.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
In truth, the first half was fairly lacklustre as England struggled to break down a sturdy and determined Latvian backline.
While they created several chances, the only real bright point of the first period was James's unstoppable free kick.
England were improved in the second period, partly due to their greater intent as well as the fact their opponents began to tire as the contest wore on.
Tuchel would have been particularly pleased with England's third because Eze demonstrated a willingness to run at the opposition, showcasing the sort of directness that was missing from Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford's game on Friday evening.
ENGLAND VS. LATVIA HIGHLIGHTS
James goal vs. Latvia (38th min, England 1-0 Latvia)
It's simply MAGNIFICENT! 💥
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 24, 2025
A freekick of pure quality from Reece James ✨#ITVFootball | #ThreeLions | #CFC pic.twitter.com/xgz9xca16u
England finally find the breakthrough courtesy of a piece of magic from James. The Chelsea full-back assumes responsibility from a free kick in a promising position. James starts his effort outside the goalkeeper's left post, curling it back in to open his international account.
Kane goal vs. Latvia (68th min, England 2-0 Latvia)
England lead by two goals to nil! ⚽️⚽️
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 24, 2025
Declan Rice puts it on a plate for Harry Kane 🍽️#ITVFootball | #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/tGHt3ziUkw
England's all-time record goalscorer doubles his team's advantage at Wembley. Rice creates the goal by making a deep run from midfield to collect Rogers's neat pass. The Arsenal midfielder fires the ball across the face of goal for Kane to tap home.
Eze goal vs. Latvia (76th min, England 3-0 Latvia)
That's TERRIFIC from Eberechi Eze!
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 24, 2025
Lovely feet from the Crystal Palace man 🔥#ITVFootball | #ThreeLions | #CPFC pic.twitter.com/s5EqCebKB1
Eze gets his name on the scoresheet. The Crystal Palace attacker drifts into the box from the left flank and evades a couple of Latvia defenders with his nimble footwork before blasting the ball past Krisjanis Zviedris with the aid of a wicked deflection.
MAN OF THE MATCH - REECE JAMES
© Imago
James slotted seamlessly into the England side in what was his first international start since playing 90 minutes in a UEFA Nations League game against Germany in September 2022.
The Chelsea star produced a David Beckham-esque free kick to find the crucial breakthrough to ensure that England did not have to go into the break on level terms.
James also showcased his versatility by moving into the middle of the park in the closing stages after playing the majority of the game at right-back.
The 25-year-old made 96 of his 97 passes while he made eight recoveries in an impressive performance on the hallowed Wembley turf.
ENGLAND VS. LATVIA MATCH STATS
Possession: England 73%-27% Latvia
Shots: England 27-3 Latvia
Shots on target: England 8-1 Latvia
Corners: England 4-1 Latvia
Fouls: England 11-13 Latvia
BEST STATS
It's been a while! #BBCFootball #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/atBMqhCifr
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 24, 2025
International goals:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) March 24, 2025
71 — Harry Kane
70 — Shearer and Owen combined pic.twitter.com/LlwwpsfnIO
From one #3 to another! 🤝#BBCFootball #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/3ihAak9a6E
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 24, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
After starting with consecutive victories, Tuchel will use the next couple of months to continue to assess those eligible for call-ups, before he names his next squad ahead of June's fixtures against Andorra and Senegal in a qualifier and a friendly respectively.
As for Latvia, they will return to action with a friendly against Azerbaijan on June 7, before they face Albania in World Cup qualifying just a few days later.
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