Tuchel’s finest England night sparks selection puzzle

By Martin Graham

Thomas Tuchel arrived in Belgrade with confidence despite criticism after England’s unconvincing victory against Andorra. He insisted his side would grow stronger, and his prediction materialized in emphatic fashion as England demolished Serbia 5-0.

The match, played in a stadium famed for its intimidating atmosphere, turned into a display of complete authority. England controlled the game from the outset, silencing the home crowd and leaving Serbia with no response. Tuchel’s men now require just five more points to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup.

This was England’s most convincing display under Tuchel, marking a turning point in his reign. His players delivered both the result and the performance supporters had been waiting for.

New faces step up

Despite the absence of established names like Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden, England displayed attacking quality. Noni Madueke impressed with a goal and creativity, adding to his growing reputation with five direct goal contributions in nine international appearances.

Elliot Anderson continued his promising start, showing control in midfield. He set a record for completed passes in his first two England caps since Opta began collecting such data in 2008, with 182 in total across games against Andorra and Serbia.

Morgan Rogers also delivered an eye-catching display, pressing his case for England’s number 10 role typically reserved for Bellingham. His influence grew as the match unfolded, suggesting Tuchel has genuine options in key attacking positions.

Defenders Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi also celebrated their first international goals, joining Madueke on a night when fresh names made their mark.

Record night for England

England became the first team to score five away goals against Serbia in a competitive fixture. Their dominance was reflected in the statistics: 24 shots, 12 on target, and 42 touches inside the opposition area, compared with just four for the hosts. Serbia failed to register a single effort on target.

Jordan Pickford kept his seventh successive clean sheet, extending England’s winning run in competitive matches to eight. Harry Kane opened the scoring with his 74th goal in 109 appearances, reaffirming his position as the team’s undisputed leader up front.

While lasers from the stands and unrest among sections of home supporters briefly marred the night, Tuchel’s team remained unfazed. His players carried out his instructions with precision, demonstrating cohesion, discipline, and ruthless finishing.

As Tuchel reflected, his early camps were about observing. Now, with this landmark display, he faces the welcome challenge of narrowing down his strongest lineup from a squad brimming with competition.