New England head coach Thomas Tuchel began his tenure with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Albania in a World Cup 2026 qualifier at Wembley.
While Tuchel promised to bring excitement after replacing Gareth Southgate, England’s performance was more functional than thrilling against a defensive Albania side.
Myles Lewis-Skelly Shines on Dream Debut
One major bright spot was Arsenal’s rising star Myles Lewis-Skelly, who had a dream international debut, scoring England’s opener in the 20th minute.
The 18-year-old slid home a composed finish from a perfect Jude Bellingham assist, making him the youngest player to score on his senior England debut at 18 years and 176 days. He broke Marcus Rashford’s previous record (set in 2016) by 33 days.
Tuchel also handed a first cap to Newcastle’s Dan Burn, 32, who nearly doubled England’s lead in the first half when his powerful header struck the crossbar.
Albania Threaten, But Kane Secures Victory
Albania posed more of a threat after halftime, forcing Ezri Konsa into a crucial last-ditch tackle to deny Jasir Asani as he surged towards Jordan Pickford’s goal.
However, England quickly regained control, and in the 77th minute, captain Harry Kane sealed the win with a close-range finish—his 70th goal in 104 international appearances.
Tuchel’s First Win: Solid but Unspectacular
While Tuchel will be pleased with a winning start, England’s performance lacked the intensity he aims to bring. Albania’s deep defensive setup frustrated the Three Lions for long periods, but Lewis-Skelly’s early strike ensured their resistance was short-lived.
The match also saw Marcus Rashford show glimpses of brilliance on his return to the national team after a year-long absence, linking up well with Bellingham. However, Manchester City’s Phil Foden struggled to make an impact on the right flank before being substituted late on.
For Tuchel, this match was about securing three points while assessing his squad, including both the players he inherited and those he introduced. England will now turn their focus to their next qualifier against Latvia at Wembley on Monday.
Lewis-Skelly: A Star in the Making
Lewis-Skelly has impressed for Arsenal this season, and his fearless, composed display on the international stage suggests he has a bright future for club and country.
His technical ability, defensive awareness, and attacking contributions were evident, earning him a standing ovation from England fans and a warm embrace from Tuchel as he was substituted late in the game.
While all eyes were on
Tuchel’s debut, it was Lewis-Skelly who stole the spotlight, marking what is likely to be the first of many England caps.
Key Takeaways:
- England defeated Albania 2-0 in Tuchel’s first match as head coach.
- Myles Lewis-Skelly became the youngest player to score on his England debut, breaking Marcus Rashford’s record.
- Dan Burn earned his first England cap, nearly scoring with a header.
- Harry Kane netted his 70th international goal to seal the victory.
- England lacked fluency but secured a solid win, with a tougher test against Latvia ahead.
