Thomas Tuchel’s vision for a thrilling new era for England faced a sobering reality check as the Three Lions laboured to a 3-0 victory over Latvia in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley.
Despite the comfortable scoreline, the performance echoed familiar frustrations, suggesting Tuchel’s promised transformation will require more than a quick fix.
The German coach, who arrived with a mandate to inject intensity and excitement into the team, had previously delivered a scathing critique of England’s Euro 2024 campaign under his predecessor, Gareth Southgate.
However, the match against a Latvia side ranked 140th in the world exposed persistent issues that have plagued England in such fixtures.
“Tuchel wants England’s brave new era to bring thrills and excitement, but he has swiftly discovered that if you have seen one England qualifier you have almost seen them all,” wrote BBC Chief Football Writer Phil McNulty.
The game followed a familiar pattern: England dominated possession but struggled to break down a resolute, albeit limited, Latvian defence.
The Wembley crowd, accustomed to such performances, resorted to paper aeroplanes and Mexican waves, with thousands of seats remaining empty well before the final whistle.
Reece James finally broke the deadlock with a stunning free-kick shortly before half-time, marking his first international start since September 2022.
Second-half goals from captain Harry Kane and substitute Eberechi Eze secured the win, but the performance lacked the spark Tuchel aimed to ignite.
One worrying moment came when Jude Bellingham, already on a yellow card, was fortunate to escape a second booking for a reckless challenge. This incident highlighted the potential for England’s familiar disciplinary issues to resurface.
While two wins from two games provide a satisfactory start, Tuchel faces a significant challenge in transforming England into the thrilling, winning side he envisions.
The upcoming international break in June will be crucial for him to address the lingering issues and implement his desired changes.
