England booked their ticket to next summer’s World Cup with a commanding performance in Riga, sweeping aside Latvia to make qualification official. Thomas Tuchel’s team required three points to guarantee progression, and they achieved it with ease against opponents positioned 137th in the global rankings.
The match itself was straightforward, but the evening was not entirely comfortable for the England manager. Sections of the away support voiced their displeasure after Tuchel’s recent criticism of the atmosphere at Wembley, responding with loud and mocking chants throughout the contest.
Despite the tension off the field, the result on it confirmed England’s qualification with two fixtures still to play. Tuchel’s first campaign since taking charge in January has been flawless, continuing the work after Sir Gareth Southgate’s departure and Lee Carsley’s brief interim spell.
Kane leads the way in emphatic win
Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock midway through the opening period, bending a low effort into the far corner. Harry Kane extended the advantage before the break with a precise strike from a distance, then added his second from the penalty spot after being tugged inside the area.
England’s fourth arrived just before the hour mark when Latvian defender Andrejs Ciganiks inadvertently diverted Djed Spence’s cross into his own net. Later on, substitute Eberechi Eze produced a composed finish after a weaving run to complete the scoring.
Kane’s brace took his international record to 76 goals in 110 appearances, underlining his importance as captain. England have now netted 13 times without reply across their last three outings, signaling a surge in attacking rhythm.
Impeccable qualifying run under Tuchel
Since a slow initial period, England has found a new level, most notably with a 5-0 triumph away to Serbia that ignited their campaign. Six wins from six and a perfect defensive record mark an impressive opening chapter under Tuchel, even if the opposition has not been the sternest.
Jordan Pickford was rarely troubled in Riga, producing two straightforward stops to extend his remarkable sequence of consecutive clean sheets to nine. With qualification assured early, the final group fixtures against Serbia at Wembley and Albania away will allow Tuchel to refine his options ahead of the tournament.
The first stage of the manager’s task is complete: England is heading to the World Cup. The challenge that remains is transforming this momentum into success on the biggest stage.
Supporters respond to manager’s remarks
The travelling fans inside Daugava Stadium made their stance clear within moments of kickoff. A chorus of “Thomas Tuchel, we’ll sing when we want” echoed around the ground, followed by further sarcastic songs such as “Are we loud enough for you?” and “Tuchel Tuchel give us a song,” prompting a brief acknowledgment from the coach.
Later, a lull in the atmosphere brought chants of “Are you Wembley in disguise?” — a direct reference to the coach’s previous comments. While much of the singing carried a playful tone, the underlying message was unmistakable: England’s loyal followers were unimpressed with being criticized.
By the end of the night, Tuchel applauded the soaked-away contingent, easing any immediate tension. Although not a serious rift, the episode added an intriguing layer to an otherwise routine evening and may serve as a reminder about the sensitivities of England’s fanbase.
