England secured a 2-0 victory over Albania in a crucial World Cup 2026 qualifier at Wembley, reinforcing their position as a strong contender in the group. This match was particularly significant as it was one of the first real tests of Thomas Tuchel’s reign as England manager. The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss has quickly set about reshaping the squad and implementing his tactical philosophy.
This article takes a closer look at England’s performance, the key players who impressed, areas for improvement, and how Tuchel’s tactical setup is shaping the future of the Three Lions.
England’s Controlled Performance
England approached the match with a clear game plan, dominating possession and keeping Albania pinned in their half. Despite Albania’s resilience, England found the breakthrough in the 35th minute when Harry Kane converted a penalty after Bukayo Saka was brought down in the box.
The second goal came early in the second half, courtesy of Phil Foden, who slotted home after a clever pass from Jude Bellingham. England had further opportunities to extend their lead, but a combination of wasteful finishing and solid Albanian defending kept the scoreline at 2-0.
While England rarely looked in danger, Albania did create a few counterattacking chances that highlighted some defensive vulnerabilities, something Tuchel will need to address moving forward.
Tuchel’s Tactical Approach: Signs of Evolution
-
A More Structured Build-Up Play
Tuchel’s England showcased a more structured approach to possession compared to the fluid but sometimes unpredictable style seen under Gareth Southgate. There was a noticeable emphasis on controlled passing, patient buildup, and positional discipline, particularly in midfield.
Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham operated in deeper midfield roles, ensuring England retained balance while pushing forward. Unlike in previous matches where England sometimes relied on individual brilliance, this performance was built on structured team play.
-
Wing Play and Overlapping Full-Backs
One of the most notable tactical changes was the use of England’s full-backs. Trent Alexander-Arnold was deployed as an inverted full-back, often drifting into midfield to create numerical advantages. On the left, Ben Chilwell pushed higher up, offering width and crossing opportunities.
This tactic allowed England to overload Albania’s defensive third, with Saka and Foden benefiting from the additional support. However, it also left England vulnerable to counterattacks when possession was lost.
-
Defensive High Line and Pressing
Under Tuchel, England adopted a higher defensive line and pressed aggressively. This strategy worked well for most of the match, as Albania struggled to build sustained attacks.
However, there were moments when Albania managed to exploit the space behind England’s defense, especially with their pacey forwards. A more clinical opposition could have punished England, suggesting that Tuchel may need to fine-tune his defensive transitions.
Player Ratings: Who Impressed for England
⭐ Harry Kane – 8/10
The England captain led by example, calmly converting his penalty and linking up well with the midfield. His movement off the ball created space for Foden and Bellingham to exploit.
⭐ Phil Foden – 8.5/10 (Man of the Match)
Foden was England’s standout performer, showcasing his technical ability and vision. His goal was well-taken, and his overall movement troubled Albania’s defenders throughout the game.
⭐ Jude Bellingham – 8/10
Bellingham controlled the tempo of the game with his precise passing and intelligent positioning. He also provided the assist for Foden’s goal, highlighting his growing influence in the national team.
-
Declan Rice – 7.5/10
Rice played his usual role as the midfield enforcer, breaking up Albania’s attacks and distributing the ball effectively. His defensive awareness was key in preventing Albania from gaining any real momentum.
-
Bukayo Saka – 7/10
Saka had a solid performance, winning the penalty that led to England’s opening goal. While he was dangerous on the right flank, he was sometimes double-marked by Albania’s defense, limiting his impact.
-
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6.5/10
Operating as an inverted full-back, Alexander-Arnold contributed to England’s buildup play but was occasionally caught out of position when Albania countered. His passing was sharp, but defensively, he needs to be more disciplined.
-
Ben Chilwell – 7/10
Chilwell provided width on the left and delivered a few dangerous crosses. His work rate was impressive, and he ensured Albania’s right-wingers had little space to operate.
-
John Stones & Harry Maguire – 7/10
The central defensive duo had a solid outing, though there were moments of vulnerability against Albania’s quick counterattacks. Maguire was dominant in aerial duels, while Stones was composed in possession.
-
Jordan Pickford – 7/10
Pickford wasn’t tested too often, but he made a crucial save in the second half to deny Albania a potential equalizer. His distribution was reliable as always.
Areas for Improvement
-
More Clinical Finishing
Despite their dominance, England could have won by a bigger margin had they been more clinical in front of goal. Kane, Saka, and Bellingham all had opportunities to score but failed to convert. Against stronger teams, these missed chances could prove costly.
-
Defensive Transitions Need Work
England’s high defensive line left them susceptible to counterattacks. While Albania didn’t have the firepower to fully capitalize, a stronger opponent could exploit these gaps more effectively. Tuchel may need to adjust his defensive setup against tougher opposition.
-
Better Decision-Making in Final Third
While England’s buildup play was more structured, their decision-making in the final third was sometimes slow. Quick transitions and more incisive passing will be needed against elite teams.
What’s Next for England
This win strengthens England’s position in the World Cup 2026 qualification race, but bigger challenges lie ahead. Tuchel’s side will face tougher opposition in the coming months, and their tactical evolution will be tested.
Next Fixtures:
- England vs Poland – A crucial qualifier that could decide group standings.
- England vs Germany (Friendly) – A high-profile match that will test Tuchel’s tactical approach against his home country.
If England continues improving under Tuchel’s guidance, they will be strong contenders in the upcoming World Cup. However, fine-tuning their finishing, defensive organization, and tactical flexibility will be key in determining their long-term success.
Encouraging Signs But Work Still to Be Done
Tuchel’s England showed promising signs in their 2-0 victory over Albania, with structured play, disciplined pressing, and an emphasis on controlled possession. While there are still areas to improve, the overall performance suggests that England is heading in the right direction under their new manager.
With tougher tests on the horizon, fans will be eager to see how Tuchel continues to refine England’s approach as they push towards World Cup 2026 qualification. If the squad continues to gel and improve, England could emerge as a serious contender on the world stage once again.
Also Read:
