England produced a dominant show in Riga to seal a 5-0 win over Latvia and make sure their place on the 2026 World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel’s aspect managed the match from the primary whistle, outclassing their hosts in each division and showcasing the ruthless edge that has outlined their qualifying marketing campaign.
The breakthrough got here within the twenty sixth minute when Anthony Gordon, who had been energetic from the beginning, reduce inside from the left and curled a low strike into the underside nook for his second England aim.
Latvia’s temporary makes an attempt to counter had been swiftly stifled, and the gulf in high quality quickly instructed once more earlier than half-time.
A unfastened go out from the again allowed Bukayo Saka to search out Harry Kane, who curled an effort past Zviedris from outdoors the realm to double the lead.
Moments later, the Bayern Munich striker grabbed his second of the night time, changing a penalty after Antonijs Cernomordijs had been penalised for tugging his shirt contained in the field.
Main 3-0 on the break, England by no means appeared in peril. Latvia tried to carry the fort after the restart however had been undone by one other defensive lapse.
Within the 58th minute, Djed Spence’s cross from the best prompted chaos within the space, and substitute Maksims Tonisevs inadvertently turned the ball into his personal internet to make it 4-0.
Tuchel took the chance to make a number of modifications across the hour mark, introducing Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen, and Jordan Henderson to handle minutes and preserve the tempo excessive.
Eze was rewarded 4 minutes from time when Bowen’s intelligent go discovered him on the left. The Arsenal playmaker reduce inside and curled into the underside nook – his second worldwide aim, each coming in opposition to Latvia.
Latvia’s greatest second got here late on via substitute Kristaps Grabovskis, however his shot was comfortably blocked by Dan Burn, who had changed John Stones earlier within the half.
Kane, with 76 objectives for his nation, continues to chase information, whereas Gordon and Eze additional enhanced their rising reputations on the worldwide stage.
The outcome not solely confirmed England’s qualification but in addition reaffirmed their credentials as severe contenders for subsequent summer time’s event in the US.
