England vs Albania LIVE: Debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly scores first aim of Thomas Tuchel period
England take on Albania at Wembley in Thomas Tuchel’s first game in charge. The German coach has been appointed on an 18-month contract through to the 2026 World Cup and England begin that journey as their qualifying campaign gets underway.
Tuchel has wasted no time explaining where England fell short under Gareth Southgate, saying that he felt the team were “afraid” during last summer’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain. “I want us to play with excitement and the hunger and desire to win,” Tuchel said. “And the acceptance of failure is part of it, especially in football.”
Tuchel arrives with an impressive CV, that includes winning the Champions League with Chelsea, and made a number of eye-catching calls when naming his first squad, including a recall for former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
Now all eyes are on Tuchel’s first England line-up, with Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final hero Dan Burn and Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly making their debuts alongside a recalled Marcus Rashford, as the Three Lions look to hit the ground running in their World Cup qualifying group.
Follow live updates from Wembley ahead of Tuchel’s first game in charge, below:
GOAL! England 2-0 Albania (KANE 77′)
WHO ELSE! ANOTHER GOAL FOR KANE!
Oh this is quality from the captain! Out of nothing, he lurks at the back post, brings down Rice’s cross and then steers a finish across goal and into the corner.
70 goals for England – and that is a proper striker’s goal.
England 1-0 Albania
76 mins: There’s a stoppage as Albania goalkeeper Strakosha receives treatment. He came out for the ball and missed as Kane won his header.
England 1-0 Albania
73 mins: Time for the changes at last: Gordon, Bowen and Morgan Rogers are on. They replace Rashford, Foden and Jones.
England’s wingers didn’t really have an impact today. Jones was a bit brighter in midfield.
England 1-0 Albania
71 mins: Bellingham looks to surge forward, with Rashford in support, but Albania win it back.
At the other end, Konsa is required to make a brilliant piece of defending! The ball forward had missed Burn, but Konsa swept up in behind and beat Asllani to the ball!
Albania look more threatening at the moment. England are still waiting to make their changes.
England 1-0 Albania
68 mins: More danger for England! Broja beats Burn for pace for a second time but Walker cleans up in the box, keeping calm despite facing a two-on-one. Jones then shows a clear head to play his way out of danger and get England on the attack.
Broja has lifted Albania.
England 1-0 Albania
65 mins: Almost an impact from Broja! He had the beating of Burn around the outside but Konsa steps acoss and shields it back to Pickford.
Antony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen look to be coming on. I would imagine Foden and Rashford will make way.
England 1-0 Albania
62 mins: Albania make the first change of the match and bring on Armando Broja. It’s stalled England’s momentum.
England 1-0 Albania
60 mins: It’s starting to click a bit more now. Kane finds Jones in space on the right and the Liverpool midfielder looks to find Foden first-time. It’s straight at the defender, though, and Albania clear.
England 1-0 Albania
59 mins: Chance! Rashford takes flight down the left but is stopped by Ajeti. The move is revived by Bellingham, who is persistent. He clips a cross in for Kane, who gets in font of his marker.
Kane heads just past the post. Tuchel applauds. Better from Bellingham.
