England Cruise Past Latvia with 3-0 Win
England vs Latvia World Cup qualifier highlights: Reece James, Harry Kane, and Eberechi Eze score in 3-0 win.
England's impressive start under Thomas Tuchel continued with a convincing 3-0 victory over Latvia in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The win marked England's second consecutive triumph in the qualifying campaign.
Reece James stole the show with a breathtaking free-kick, helping the Three Lions secure a comfortable win. The triumph extended England's remarkable unbeaten home record in qualifying matches to 30 games, with 27 wins and 3 draws.
Building on their solid 2-0 win over Albania on Friday, England sought to maintain their momentum against Latvia. The team's energetic start hinted at a promising performance, setting the tone for a dominant display.
England predictably controlled the early stages of the match, but their dominance was nearly disrupted when Vladislavs Gutkovskis shockingly missed a close-range opportunity. The chance arose from a miscommunication between Marc Guehi and Jordan Pickford, but England breathed a sigh of relief as the ball sailed wide.
Galvanized by their narrow escape, Thomas Tuchel's team intensified their pursuit of the opening goal. Ezri Konsa's potent strike was expertly parried over the bar by Krisjanis Zviedris, while Harry Kane squandered a prime opportunity, heading over from just eight yards out. As the first half drew to a close, England's relentless pressure ultimately yielded a stunning breakthrough, courtesy of Reece James's magnificent free-kick that curled into the top corner for his maiden international goal.
The second half commenced with England firmly in the ascendancy, maintaining their grip on possession. Despite their superiority, however, the hosts struggled to craft clear-cut chances, with the Latvian defense holding firm under pressure. Harry Kane went close, curling a shot narrowly wide from inside the box, but England's persistence eventually paid off in the 68th minute.
England's perseverance was rewarded when Declan Rice's precise low delivery was expertly tapped home by Harry Kane at the back post, securing his 71st goal for the Three Lions. The strike sealed a 2-0 advantage for England, underscoring their dominance over Latvia.
The outcome was all but certain after Harry Kane's goal, and England put the icing on the cake with a third goal 15 minutes from time. Substitute Eberechi Eze marked his international debut with a goal, scoring with a low, deflected shot that sealed the win for Thomas Tuchel's team.
Latvia managed to avoid further humiliation in the final stages, thanks in part to some crucial saves from goalkeeper Krisjanis Zviedris. He denied Morgan Rogers and Harry Kane, ensuring the scoreline remained respectable as England cruised to a 3-0 victory. The win marked a comfortable three points for the hosts in the first-ever meeting between the two nations.
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