England completed a perfect FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, winning all eight matches in their group. The Three Lions were already confirmed as group winners before this match against Albania. Head coach Thomas Tuchel made seven changes to the team that had previously beaten Serbia at Wembley on Thursday. After a goalless first half, substitute Harry Kane scored twice in the second half. With this brace, Kane now owns 78 England goals with 26 of them coming at the World Cup Qualifiers.
He scored his first in the 74th minute from close range after a corner taken by substitute Bukayo Saka. Eight minutes later, he headed in Marcus Rashford’s excellent cross. Despite their dominance, England had chances to score earlier with Jude Bellingham, Jarrod Bowen and Saka all coming close.
Tuchel’s tactical acumen and well-timed substitutions played a key role in England’s victory.
Key records made by the Three Lions
With this victory, England became the first European team to win at least six qualifiers without conceding a single goal. As per Opta, England (8 games) became the second European team to win 100% of their games in a FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign without conceding, after Yugoslavia in qualification for the 1954 FIFA World Cup (4 games). Meanwhile, England have won 11 consecutive competitive matches for the first time in their history.
England’s World Cup qualifying campaign in stats
England played 8 matches in Group K and won all 8 games. They scored an impressive 22 goals in addition to conceding none. They finished ahead of 2nd-placed Albania (14 points). The group also consisted of Serbia, Andorra and Latvia.
Kane was England’s top scorer in the Qualifiers. He managed 8 goals from 8 matches for Tuchel’s men. Eberechi Eze, who plays for Arsenal, was the 2nd best scorer for England (3 from 5 games).
In terms of assists, Declan Rice impressed. The Arsenal midfielder made 4 assists and scored one goal from 8 matches.
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