England underwhelms against Latvia in World Cup qualifier win
LONDON (AP) — Reece James scored a brilliant free kick and Eberechi Eze grabbed his maiden international goal as England beat Latvia 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley Stadium on Monday.
James, making his first start in 2 1/2 years, curled a 25-meter free kick into the top corner after 37 minutes. The goal was his first in 18 England appearances and broke down a stuffy Latvia side.
Midway through the second half, with the home crowd starting to get restless, young midfielder Morgan Rogers combined well with Declan Rice to pave the way for a Harry Kane tap-in.
Then Eze cut in from the right and his shot hit the back of the net after taking a slight deflection.
England is the hot favorite to win Europe Group K and qualify for the 2026 World Cup. New coach Thomas Tuchel, in just his second game in charge, was content with the result if not the performance against a side 136 places behind it in the FIFA rankings.
The German praised the returning James, a player he knows from his time managing Chelsea, and said he was happy with the way things have gone in his first two matches.
“I know Reecey and the quality the boy has is amazing," Tuchel told broadcaster ITV. “He has every right to be proud and happy with his performance. He is in excellent shape. He looks sharp, in shape and the quality there can be no doubt.
“It was not an easy match. We saw a lot of good things, created good chances. We needed a free kick to unlock it. I’m happy with the attitude, energy and desire. We will get there.”
Albania record first winIn the same group, Albania bounced back from losing to England 2-0 on Friday by beating Andorra 3-0 at home. Rey Manaj scored twice in the first half and Myrto Uzuni added a third in second-half stoppage time.
In Group G, Poland won for the second time in three days thanks to two goals from Karol Świderski against Malta. Świderski scored in each half.
Earlier, Finland gave up a two-goal lead in Lithuania and drew 2-2, missing the chance to maintain a 100% record.
Kaan Kairinen put the Finns ahead after four minutes and Joel Pohjanpalo doubled their lead from the penalty spot 13 minutes later. But Armandas Kučys pulled a goal back for Lithuania just before halftime and Gvidas Gineitis equalized with a 30-meter strike in the 69th.
Poland tops Group G with six points, two ahead of Finland, one of the teams that has never before qualified for the World Cup.
Bosnia wins againIn Group H, Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Cyprus 2-1 at home to stay perfect.
Ermedin Demirović put the Bosnians 1-0 up midway through the first half and Ioannis Pittas headed home an equalizer for Cyprus on the stroke of halftime. However, Haris Hajradinović fired into the top corner early in the second half to add to their opening win over Romania last week.
Romania got its first points after winning at San Marino 5-1. The fifth team in Group H, Austria, has still to kick off its campaign.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
-
England v Latvia LIVE: Three Lions pull away from stubborn minnows late on in World Cup qualifier
England 3-0 Latvia: Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions were frustrated for large parts by the minnows but Reece James’s stunning free-kick plus late goals from Harry Kane and Eberechi Eze ensured victoryYahoo Sports - 15h -
Why Reece James did not celebrate after scoring stunning free-kick for England
Reece James enjoyed a standout moment in his international career on Monday night, scoring a stunning free-kick as England secured a 3-0 victory over Latvia in their World Cup qualifier.The Chelsea ...Yahoo Sports - 23h -
Guehi 'over the moon' after Eze scores first England goal
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi says he is "over the moon" for Eberechi Eze after he scored his first England goal in Monday's 3-0 World Cup qualifier win over Latvia. Eze came on just after the ...Yahoo Sports - 14h -
James set for first England start since 2022
Chelsea right-back Reece James is set for his first start for England since September 2022 in Monday's World Cup qualifier against Latvia.BBC News - 1d -
England beat Latvia to make it two wins in two in World Cup qualifying - reaction
Reaction and your views as England beat Latvia at Wembley to make it two wins in two in Thomas Tuchel's first matches in charge.Yahoo Sports - 15h -
England comfortably defeat Latvia as Tuchel makes it two from two
Thomas Tuchel continued his 100% start as England manager with a comfortable 3-0 win against Latvia at Wembley. Scorers: James 38', Kane 68', Eze 76'As anticipated, England dominated the ball in ...Yahoo Sports - 23h -
England boss Tuchel's options open for World Cup qualifier with Latvia
Thomas Tuchel says it's possible he could make changes for England's second World Cup qualifier, at home to Latvia on Monday.Tuchel has been tasked with ending England's long wait for just a second ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Is England v Latvia on TV? Kick-off time, TV channel and how to watch World Cup qualifier
Everything you need to know after England won their opening qualifier 2-0 against Albania on FridayYahoo Sports - 1d -
England vs Latvia Prediction: Captain Kane Can Star in Big Win
Follow our football betting tips as England host Latvia in the second World Cup qualifier on MondayYahoo Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
S. Africa take big World Cup lead, but may lose points over Mokoena
South Africa beat Benin 2-0 on Tuesday to lead an African 2026 World Cup qualifying group by five points, but the advantage could be reduced for fielding an ineligible player last week.- Nigeria ...Yahoo Sports - 41m -
Kim Mulkey laments JuJu Watkins injury, calls her 'such a great ambassador of our game'
During a radio appearance on Wednesday, LSU women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey spoke highly about USC's JuJu Watkins after her season-ending injury.Yahoo Sports - 41m -
The Astros brought Cam Smith’s family into the clubhouse to surprise him about making the big-league roster
A moment that Cam Smith will never forget.Yahoo Sports - 42m -
Bills have big plans for Dalton Kincaid after injury-filled second season
Brandon Beane was quick to pump the brakes. It was April 27, 2023 and Beane just traded up two spots to select tight end Dalton Kincaid in the first round of the draft. Not only that, but the ...Yahoo Sports - 42m -
Top 50 people who will impact the 2025 MLB season: Nos. 50-26
From Chandler Simpson to Mike Trout to Fernando Tatis Jr., these are the names to know as the regular season begins.Yahoo Sports - 45m
More in Sports
-
Women's Sweet 16 rankings: UConn is No. 1, USC holds tight at No. 4
The Sweet 16 is set, and there's a new No. 1. But all eyes are on USC and injured JuJu Watkins.ESPN - 40m -
Picks, predictions, key players for every women's Sweet 16 game
Why might every Sweet 16 team win its regional semifinal matchup in Birmingham and Spokane? We predict the winners.ESPN - 40m -
Cal Raleigh contract extension: Mariners locking up star catcher on six-year, $105 million deal, per reports
The deal will buy out Raleigh's first three years of free agencyCBS Sports - 40m -
S. Africa take big World Cup lead, but may lose points over Mokoena
South Africa beat Benin 2-0 on Tuesday to lead an African 2026 World Cup qualifying group by five points, but the advantage could be reduced for fielding an ineligible player last week.- Nigeria ...Yahoo Sports - 41m -
Kim Mulkey laments JuJu Watkins injury, calls her 'such a great ambassador of our game'
During a radio appearance on Wednesday, LSU women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey spoke highly about USC's JuJu Watkins after her season-ending injury.Yahoo Sports - 41m