As Harry Kane stepped as much as make it 3-0 to England with the ultimate kick of the primary half at a moist, chilly and deflated Daugava Stadium it was unusual to suppose that there was a time when the very act of reaching a serious match was an occasion in its personal proper.
It's not speculated to be this a lot of a doddle. Qualifying was as soon as a nerve-shredding expertise. It might make or break reputations and even offered a few of the most iconic moments within the historical past of English soccer: the euphoria of David Beckham's free-kick in opposition to Greece in 2001, the bloody‑minded defiance of Paul Ince in Rome in 1997 or, on the different finish of the spectrum, the farce of Steve McClaren's umbrella at Wembley in 2007, the agony of Graham Taylor in Rotterdam in 1993 and the shock of Jan Tomaszewski's heroics in objective for Poland in opposition to Sir Alf Ramsey's England in 1973.
But there was no jeopardy in Riga on Tuesday night time. That England would thump Latvia and safe their place on the World Cup finals match subsequent summer season with two video games to spare was by no means doubtful. It was all very predictable. It took England till the twenty sixth minute to select the lock, Anthony Gordon scoring the objective his vigorous efficiency on the left flank deserved, however not as soon as have they been in hassle in Group Ok. The opposition has been feeble. The outcomes – 2-0, 3-0, 1-0, 2-0, 5-0, 5-0 – say all of it.
And so is it any shock that victory in opposition to Latvia, the 137th greatest group on this planet, was greeted with little greater than a shrug of the shoulders? No person might blame the travelling followers for leaving lengthy earlier than the tip. Not even Thomas Tuchel, that famend thrower of reality bombs, was going to query the extent of assist this time.
It will have been an unwise transfer. Tuchel heard the away finish aiming a string of crucial chants in his course through the first half. These feedback from the top coach concerning the soporific environment throughout England's pleasant win in opposition to Wales at Wembley final Thursday have been famous by the hardcore assist. There have been even a number of boos for Tuchel when his identify was learn out earlier than kick-off right here.
But whereas Tommy Tuchel's military didn't sound greatest happy with their supervisor, they are going to have appreciated his group's soccer once more. England have been environment friendly, managed and medical. They appear structured and balanced. Elliot Anderson was glorious once more on the base of midfield. Kane retains scoring and retains requirements excessive. John Stones, who seems assured to begin in central defence so long as he stays match, acquired via one other 71 minutes. He additionally made the primary objective, capitalising on one of many few moments Latvia dared push up by lifting an extended ball excessive for Gordon to chop in from the left and whip a shot into the far nook.
This was an excellent night time for Gordon. He drove at Raivis Jurkovskis, who was in all probability relieved to be taken off at half-time. There was plenty of concentrate on Marcus Rashford through the buildup however Gordon has the shirt for the time being. His directness and willingness to run behind defences are essential belongings given Kane's skill to drop deep.
“That is his greatest power – to go direct,” Tuchel mentioned. “He collects high-intensity runs and that is so good. We're enjoying a excessive press. He's vital in opposition to the ball. One other good efficiency.” The competitors in assault is fierce. Eberechi Eze got here off the bench to make it 5-0. Morgan Rogers, the sort of counter-pressing No 10 Tuchel likes, has made three consecutive begins, and Noni Madueke's knee damage has allowed Bukayo Saka to return on the proper. Now, although, the actual work begins. England weren't even stretched after they went to Serbia final month. Andorra and Albania have been additionally dispatched with relative ease.
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The one concern for Tuchel is that his England is not going to have had a severe aggressive check earlier than the World Cup. They've useless rubbers in opposition to Serbia and Albania subsequent month. There can be warm-up friendlies in March – Japan and Uruguay have been lined up – however nothing up to now can have informed Tuchel if England are geared up to beat Spain or France in a knockout recreation.
That is the place the actual work begins. There are inquiries to resolve. Does the good humbling of Jude Bellingham proceed, or does the Actual Madrid midfielder return subsequent month? Is there area for Cole Palmer or Phil Foden in assault? Can Adam Wharton discover his method again?
The image will turn out to be clearer because the match approaches. It nonetheless feels unlikely that England can win the World Cup with out Bellingham however it's as much as the 22-year-old to show that he can respect the hierarchy and observe directions. The competitors is on, as Tuchel likes to say.
