England has moved seven points to the top of group K with a superb 5-0 on Serbia while the Thomas Tuchel era took off in Belgrade.
The first half goals of Harry Kane and Noni Madueke put England to control the game while the Tuchel team produced a current performance which made a mockery of the criticism of their less spectacular display by beating the Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday.
Tuchel had feared that the prudent configuration of Serbia could create another annoying occasion, but England has opened its opponents with ease, Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi adding goals on each side of the red card of Nikola Milenkovic.
Marcus Rashford’s penalty crowned a huge victory to win five victories of five in the World Cup qualifying for England under their German trainer. They have not yet conceded a goal in these five games and are ideally placed to seal their place during the World Cup next summer.
How England turned it
Kane would have been frustrated not to find the net against Andorra, after having marked his five previous appearances for his country, but he was back among the goals in the 33rd minute to nod in the corner of Declan Rice’s right. The second was a better decision.
Morgan Rogers, who has shown his strength and skills in that no role 10, having replaced Ebelechi Eze for this game, produced a delicious take -out pass to return Madueke and the fit winger held the challenge before releasing the ball on the goalkeeper.
Noni Madueke raised the ball on the goalkeeper to double the advance of England on Serbia
In an encouraging way, England maintained its momentum after the interval, despite the end of Serbia, and any return prospect ended when Djordje Petrovic failed to grasp Anthony Gordon’s shot. Guehi in Konsa and a third goal.
Serbia had not even conceded during their three previous qualifying matches and was undefeated in the Marakana for two years. But this record was erased long before Milenkovic pira Kane, the Nottingham Forest defender receiving a right red box.
It has saved Serbia even more, Guehi adding to their misery at close range before the substitute Rashford ceiling it. The Clement Turpin referee had missed the trip to Ollie Watkins for the first time, but there were no reprises for Serbia in the night.
Marcus Rashford converts the place to seal the 5-0 victory of England against Serbia
For more context, England has not had a record of 100% of the World Cup qualifications since the 1950s, when there were only three games. If they can see Serbia in the return match as well as winning in Latvia and Albania, then Tuchel will have reached this feat.
No Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka or Jude Bellingham in those who attack the midfielder’s positions, but it was not a problem in Belgrade. There is quality and there is depth. After the concerns that followed a start without inspiration to his reign, he is back to keep a lid on expectations …
It’s the bar now, said Tuchel
England Manager Thomas Tuchel Speaking to ITV:
“We have played with great intensity, we put a lot of work. I think it was a teamwork in its purest form, and from there, we showed our quality. We kept Serbia without shooting the target, we did not allow the chances, so you have to put a lot of work to do it.
“Lots of help is necessary, a lot of intensity is necessary in duels, a lot of invisible work for which you do not get praise. We have done with a lot of support in all positions, a lot of race, a lot of effort, it was good to look at.
“The first camp was very good, the second camp was thus. We did our learning and started news, gave the clarity of the players in their role, in the structure we play, and from there, we [gave them] The responsibility to give it life, and they made an excellent, so the credit goes to them.
“They did incredible, it’s the bar.”
Keane rents for Madueke
Sky Sports’ Roy Keane Speaking on ITV:
“This is what impressed me in recent months with him, his movement. In fact, then turning, mixing his game. There is real maturity. Obviously, then you are talking about the final product, but he offers his teammates.
“His death, his movement, he is a threat. As we have already said, he affects the games. He passes it and gives it. He is a nightmare against whom to play and that is what you want with your attackers. It was only a matter of time before having this chance.”
