England vs Albania LIVE: Debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly scores first objective 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:
England 1-0 Albania
30 mins: A fairytale opener may settle England down, but Albania have responded well. Rice is required to sweep up in defence. The game hasn’t quite returned to the same pattern as before Lewis-Skelly’s goal.
England 1-0 Albania
27 mins: A first sign of danger at the other end. Burn is required to make a block, with the ball looping up awkwardly and landing on top of the bar. It almost caught Pickford out but Burn has to head clear.
England 1-0 Albania
25 mins: Lewis-Skelly, at 18, is the youngest player in history to score on his senior England debut.
England 1-0 Albania
23 mins: Take-off for Tuchel, and especially Myles Lewis-Skelly. A great moment, a lovely goal, and a divine pass. The teenage debutant was rewarded for the bravery of his run, by an utterly brilliant through ball from Bellingham. It has significantly elevated what had been an encouraging if not electric opening 20 minutes of Tuchel’s time in charge.
England 1-0 Albania
22 mins: He only made his Arsenal debut in September. Now Myles Lewis-Skelly is an England goalscorer!
Beautiful.
GOAL! England 1-0 Albania (LEWIS-SKELLY 20′)
IT’S A DREAM GOAL FOR THE TEENAGE DEBUTANT! AMAZING!
What a moment for Myles Lewis-Skelly! It’s a brilliant ball through from Bellingham to find the left back’s run, and the Arsenal star finds the finish through the goalkeeper’s legs! He’s clearly emotional as he is mobbed by his team-mates in the corner!
Tuchel punches his fist!
England 0-0 Albania
16 mins: Almost a chance for England! Kane bounces through the challenges and breaks into the box, keeping the ball close. But Albania’s goalkeeper Strakosha comes off his line and claims before Kane can try and finish.
England 0-0 Albania
14 mins: After all that, it’s ultimately just a dull World Cup qualifier.
