World Cup Qualifier: Harry Kane Leads England to Dominant 5-0 Win Over Serbia
England secured a 5-0 victory over Serbia in a World Cup qualifier, with Harry Kane and Noni Madueke scoring crucial goals.
The match concluded with a convincing 5-0 victory for England, with Marcus Rashford sealing the win by scoring a penalty in the final minutes...
Thomas Tuchel's England team delivered a stunning 5-0 victory over Serbia in Belgrade, significantly boosting their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This dominant win marked England's eighth consecutive competitive victory, showcasing their impressive form under Tuchel's leadership. The match saw Harry Kane open the scoring with a trademark headed finish from Declan Rice's corner, followed by Noni Madueke's impressive first international goal.
England struggled to create clear-cut opportunities in the early stages, with their first notable chance coming just before the half-hour mark. Harry Kane had a promising moment when Noni Madueke's square ball was poked wide of the post by mere inches.
However, England's persistence paid off when Harry Kane scored a decisive goal. Declan Rice delivered a precise corner kick that found Kane unmarked, and he headed the ball into the far corner, securing a crucial lead for England.
After the opening goal, England's performance noticeably improved, with their playing style under Thomas Tuchel gaining momentum. The team showcased fluid movement and creativity, which led to their second goal shortly after. A well-executed move involving Elliot Anderson and Morgan Rogers created space for Noni Madueke.
Madueke capitalized on the opportunity, skillfully lifting the ball over Serbian goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic to score his first international goal. This goal highlighted England's attacking prowess and showcased the team's ability to create scoring chances through intricate playmaking.
Just after halftime, England's lead was extended in an unexpected manner. Anthony Gordon's long-range shot was parried by Serbia's goalkeeper Petrovic, and after a fortunate ricochet off Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa tapped the ball into an open goal from close range, doubling England's advantage.
With the match effectively decided, Thomas Tuchel continued to experiment with his squad, giving various players opportunities to showcase their skills. The game took a significant turn when Nikola Milenkovic received a red card for a foul on Harry Kane, which referee Clement Turpin deemed a denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
The red card opened up space for England, allowing them to capitalize further. Marc Guehi scored from a free kick after the red card, and Marcus Rashford sealed the win with a penalty in the 90th minute, converting from the spot.
Serbia's defensive woes continued as England capitalized on a free-kick opportunity. Marc Guehi scored with a precise header from Declan Rice's delivery, further extending England's lead. This goal showcased England's set-piece prowess and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
The match concluded with a convincing 5-0 victory for England, with Marcus Rashford sealing the win by scoring a penalty in the final minutes. This dominant performance puts England on the brink of qualification for the 2026 World Cup, with their spot likely to be secured in October's internationals. Serbia, meanwhile, now faces a challenging battle with Albania for second place and a potential playoff spot.
England's Performance
The Three Lions demonstrated exceptional teamwork and skill, with Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi adding to the scoreline in the second half. Konsa tapped in from close range, while Guehi converted a free-kick after Nikola Milenkovic's red card for fouling Kane. Marcus Rashford sealed the win with a penalty in the 90th minute, highlighting England's depth and quality.
Key Stats
- Possession: England 70%, Serbia 30%
- Shots: England 24, Serbia 3
- Shots on Target: England 12, Serbia 0
- Corners: England 6, Serbia 2
- Yellow Cards: England 1, Serbia 1
- Red Cards: England 0, Serbia 1 (Nikola Milenkovic)
Qualification Implications
This resounding win puts England seven points clear at the top of Group K, with three matches remaining. They have yet to concede a goal in their five World Cup qualifying matches, equalling a national team record set in 1989. If England can maintain this form, they are likely to seal their spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Major Highlights
- England have scored and kept a clean sheet in five of their five games in Group K so far, more than any other in the team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
- This was Serbia's heaviest ever competitive home defeat. The Serbs also failed to attempt a shot on target for the first time since at least 2010 (when Opta began recording this data)
- Marcus Rashford has scored all four of his England penalties (excluding shootouts).
Post-match comments
England boss Thomas Tuchel to ITV: “I’m more than happy for the team and the staff. We had an excellent week from start to finish. We just proved what I saw everyday in this camp and that makes me very happy.
“There was a lot of teamwork in its purest form, and from there we showed our quality. We played with intensity in the duels. There was a lot of invisible work that you get no praise for Elliot (Anderson) who had another fantastic performance.
“We’ve only had three weeks of training together. That’s half a pre-season. It takes a bit of time. The credit goes to the players, they did amazing. (Raises his hand) That’s the bar.”
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