England notched up another confidence-boosting win under new manager Thomas Tuchel, continuing their World Cup qualifying campaign on a pitch-perfect note with 3-0 victory against Latvia.
The former Chelsea manager had rolled the dice with the changes after Friday's 2-0 win against Albania, bringing his former defender at club level Reece James into the starting XI.
James was quick to justify his introduction - and rare England start - in the first-half as he opened the scoring with an immaculate freekick.
Captain Harry Kane doubled the hosts' lead on Monday evening after the break, with Eberechi Eze brought on as a second-half substitute to put fears of an upset firmly out of Latvia's grasp.
But who stood out at the home of English football, and which players must try harder?
Here, Mail Sport's JACK GAUGHAN runs the rule over the good, the bad, and the ugly as the dust settles at Wembley.
Had touched the ball just nine times until the 81st minute, although almost had a catastrophe with Marc Guehi in gifting a glaring chance. Maybe bored.
Stunning 30-yard free kick, with whip and bend, illuminated a drab game. Nonchalant non-celebration indicates he knew how good it was.
England’s most commanding defender on the night and carried possession nicely. Unfortunate not to find the net before half-time.
A couple of hairy moments – not least with Pickford – but generally stable whenever Latvia threatened to break on the counter.
Inverted left back for the start of the night, moving alongside Declan Rice. Composed display, not wasting a single pass in the first half.
Decent in setting the tempo and kept England ticking over, with a clever run to the byline to set up cross for Harry Kane.
Offered some flashes of danger without delivering an end product. Industry without incision when trying to stake a claim.
Very lively in the middle on his full debut and showed signs of kicking on once more settled in this environment.
Somewhat fortunate that the referee didn’t take a closer look at a sliding challenge on Raivis Jurkovskis when Bellingham was on a booking.
Much more involved than on Friday night. Made a real effort to get in amongst it and drive at defenders.
Pinned up against Latvia’s back five, much of the game played out behind him until later on. Ghosting in at the back post for his finish as you’d expect.
Subs
Eberechi Eze (for Bowen, 60) - 7
Phil Foden (for Bellingham, 67) - 6.5
Kyle Walker (for Lewis-Skelly, 79)
Curtis Jones (for Rashford, 79)
Jordan Henderson (for Rice, 79)
Read more 2025-03-24T22:28:45Z