England continued their flawless World Cup qualifying run with a 2-0 victory over Serbia at Wembley, showcasing both their depth and emerging talent under coach Thomas Tuchel.
Bukayo Saka led the way, scoring a superb opening goal and reinforcing his status as a central figure in England’s World Cup plans.
The Arsenal winger now has 14 goals in 47 appearances and is England’s record scorer among current club players, surpassing Cliff Bastin. His influence alongside captain Harry Kane gives Tuchel a reliable foundation heading into next summer’s tournament.
The game also provided a platform for Tuchel’s substitutes, often referred to as his “finishers.” Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Eberechi Eze were introduced after 65 minutes, with Eze completing the scoring in spectacular fashion.
The trio made an immediate impact, demonstrating the strength in depth that Tuchel can rely on.
Tuchel praised the squad’s willingness to put the team first. “It is not about building starting eleven. It is about building a team and they buy into it. Put ego behind them because it is the right thing to do for the team,” he said.
The match offered insight into England’s ongoing positional battles. Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers impressed at number 10 in Bellingham’s absence, while Manchester City’s Foden made a lively cameo, creating dangerous moments and assisting Eze’s goal. Nico O’Reilly debuted at left-back with composure, and Ezri Konsa continues to stake his claim in central defence alongside John Stones and Marc Guehi. Rashford, competing on the left flank, showed glimpses of his revitalised form but will need to refine his finishing to stay ahead of rivals like Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford kept his tenth consecutive clean sheet, highlighting England’s defensive solidity. He emphasised the benefit of Tuchel’s squad rotation, noting that the variety of attacking options, including Bellingham and Foden, strengthens the team as a whole.
While the Serbia fixture had little impact on qualification, it offered a valuable stage for players to press their case for World Cup starting roles. The audition continues on Sunday in Tirana against Albania, where Tuchel will further assess his options ahead of the tournament.
England remain unbeaten in seven qualifiers, and with a blend of established stars and emerging talent, Tuchel appears to have the tools to mount a serious challenge on football’s biggest stage.
