ENGLAND 2. ALBANIA 0
A new era began as England kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 Wembley win against Albania under new head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Tuchel, Gareth Southgate’s successor, was able to reflect on a functional rather than spectacular display.
But there was a dream debut for Arsenal left back Myles Lewis-Skelly who, at 18 years and 176 days, became the youngest player to score om his senior international bow.
At the opposite end of the age and experience spectrum, captain Harry Kane weighed in with his 70th England goal on his 104th international appearance.
Kane will draw level with Billy Wright’s 105 caps if he plays against Latvia on Monday with Sir Bobby Charlton and Frank Lampard (106) and Ashley Cole (107) also in his sights.
There was also an impressive England debut for Newcastle’s Carabao Cup hero Dan Burn aged 32.
Tuchel admitted it was an emotional night as this was his debut at international level.
He said: “It was exciting, and I was a bit nervous before the match.
“It was a fantastic evening with perfect weather. We had a good week ahead of the match and it was a good experience.
“It was our first win and a clean sheet. Hopefully it will improve confidence to get better and trust in our style.”
Tuchel was impressed with Lewis-Skelly saying: “He has been amazing in camp, full of confidence and humour and an open character.
He has been very impressive and has natural confidence. It was a great performance and full of courage. He was amazing.”
It was striking leaving Wembley Park tube station and approaching the stadium with all the advertising slots on Wembley Way taken by German car makers BMW to promote their Mini.
They read: “English spirt: German management. A match made in heaven” in reference to Tuchel’s arrival.
Tuchel also gave Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones a start along with the returning Marcus Rashford who was a constant threat down the left flank.
Embed from Getty ImagesAlbania had former Manchester City pair Sylvinho and Pablo Zabaleta as their manager and assistant.
On the Albania bench was England-born Armando Broja.
There was applause before kick-off for 1966 World Cup winner George Eastham who passed away in December.
England were camped in the Albanian half from the start but were unable to create chance for all their possession and pressing when without the ball.
But they took the lead in the 19th minute through their first meaningful chance.
Jude Bellingham’s slide-rule pass dissected the Albania defence and Lewis=Skelly sprinted through to slot the ball under keeper Thomas Strakosha.
There was an anxious moment defensively for England when Qazim Laçi crossed and Burn swung a boot at the ball which bounced off the top of the crossbar before Jordan Pickford pushes it behind.
Rashford broke on the left and released Bellingham who was clean through only for keeper Strakosha to block his shot.
England came close to doubling their lead in the 40th minute when Bellingham got on the end of Kyle Walker’s cross, but Strakosha made a brilliant block. The ball rebounded to Kane who looked set to score only for his effort to be deflected over.
From the resulting corner, Burn’s towering header hit the crossbar as England were starting to carve open the Albanian defence with ease.
Kane had a glorious chance just short of the hour to net England’s second with a diving header from six yards which flew wide from a Bellingham cross.
Albania had a chance when Jasir Asani burst through on goal only for Ezri Konsa to save the day with a last-ditch tackle.
Tuchel made a triple change with 16 minutes left as Phil Foden, Rashford and Curtis Jones made way for Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers.
And nerves were eased when Kane doubled the lead in the 77th minute with his 70th goal for England.
Rice played the through ball which Kane brought down before swivelling and firing low inside the far post.
Kane became the first England player to score on his first appearance under three different managers (Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate, Thomas Tuchel).
Tuchel then made another change as Rice made way for Jordan Henderson and then in the last minute Lewis-Skelly was replaced by Reece James.