SAEDNEWS: England’s 2-0 victory over Andorra kept their World Cup qualifying campaign flawless, but the lifeless performance left fans questioning Thomas Tuchel’s leadership and the team’s lack of spark.
According to Saed News, England maintained their 100 percent record in the World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Andorra on Saturday. Yet, the triumph felt strangely hollow. Villa Park, usually a cauldron of noise and passion, was marked by fans leaving early, disillusioned by a performance that lacked urgency, creativity, and inspiration.
For Thomas Tuchel, the coach who replaced Gareth Southgate after Euro 2024, this was supposed to be another step toward building a new identity for England. Instead, it was a reminder that results without style rarely satisfy supporters.
England’s goals came in uninspiring fashion. The breakthrough arrived in the 25th minute, not through brilliance, but via an Andorran mistake. Reece James found Noni Madueke on the right flank, whose cross was deflected into the net by defender Christian Garcia.
Later, in the 67th minute, James once again turned provider, delivering a perfect ball that Declan Rice nodded home to secure the result. Two goals, both effective, yet both overshadowed by a performance that never truly threatened to ignite.
Ranked 174th in the world, Andorra were expected to crumble. Instead, they put up a disciplined defensive wall, limiting England to speculative efforts and blocking most of their shots. Jordan Pickford, England’s goalkeeper, enjoyed perhaps his easiest international evening — barely touching the ball.
For Andorra, a 2-0 defeat was almost a moral victory, and their stubborn defiance only magnified England’s lack of cutting edge.
Jordan Pickford (6/10): Hardly involved, a bystander throughout.
Reece James (8/10): England’s standout player, causing problems down the right and assisting Rice with a superb cross.
Marc Guehi (7/10): Calm and composed, unaffected by his failed Liverpool transfer.
Dan Burn (6/10): Comfortable but untested.
Myles Lewis-Skelley (6/10): Flashes of energy, but overshadowed by James.
Eberechi Eze (7/10): Bright and creative at times but denied by strong Andorran defending.
Elliot Anderson (8/10): An impressive debut, driving the ball forward with confidence. Missed an easy chance but showed promise as Rice’s future midfield partner.
Declan Rice (7/10): Relished his forward role, capped by a decisive header.
Noni Madueke (7/10): Worked well with James and helped force the own goal.
Harry Kane (6/10): Starved of service, had little influence.
Marcus Rashford (4/10): Disappointing, wasteful, and far from his best.
Tuchel may highlight the positives: England still top their group, remain unbeaten, and have yet to concede in qualifying. But statistics reveal the deeper issue. England’s shots dropped from 20 in their last match against Andorra to just 11 this time. Expected goals fell from 4.0 to 2.21. Creativity remains absent.
The manager insists progress is being made. “We missed some little moments to accelerate the game,” Tuchel said post-match. “Madueke wasn’t clinical, Rashford had good moments but couldn’t finish them, and Eze struggled in decision-making.”
Next up is Serbia in Belgrade — a challenge far sterner than Andorra. It could be the match that defines Tuchel’s early tenure. Against such higher-quality opposition, excuses about defensive opponents won’t hold.
England may be winning, but the fans’ message at Villa Park was clear: winning alone is not enough. The Three Lions must rediscover their roar.
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