England closed out their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a controlled 2-0 victory in Albania, a result that sealed eight wins from eight and confirmed a rare achievement.
Thomas Tuchel’s side progressed without conceding a single goal, matching one of the strongest defensive runs in the history of European international football.
With qualification already secured and Albania guaranteed a play off place, the match carried more administrative weight than competitive edge.
Tuchel made seven changes from the team that beat Serbia on Thursday and the first half reflected that lack of urgency. England kept the ball, Albania watched them keep it, and little else occurred.
Albania almost disrupted the script early in the second period. Arber Hoxha forced a sharp save from Dean Henderson and then struck straight at him moments later from a clearer opening. England needed a rhythm shift and the returning Jude Bellingham tried to provide it, first setting up Eberechi Eze for a chance that drifted away, then firing over himself.
Tuchel turned to Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka to sharpen the attack. Saka squandered two one on one chances but made amends with the corner that produced the breakthrough. His delivery was flicked on by an Albania defender at the near post and fell to Harry Kane, unmarked and close enough to steer in the opener with ease.
The second was more polished. Marcus Rashford, also off the bench, dropped into space on the left and delivered a measured ball into the area. Kane met it with a firm header to secure the result and extend his tally against Albania to seven goals.
England’s defensive numbers remain the most striking element of this campaign. They have now recorded ten competitive wins without conceding, equalling the longest such run by a European side. Their back four dominated the ball, with Dan Burn recording 114 touches, a symbol of how often England circulated possession while Albania sat deep.
The attacking improvement after the substitutions was overdue but decisive. Once service reached Kane with regularity, the outcome felt inevitable. Tuchel’s side now head toward the World Cup with a flawless qualifying record and a defensive foundation as strong as any in their history.
