Tuchel era off to winning World Cup start, Poland beat Lithuania
Thomas Tuchel made a winning start to life as England coach with a 2-0 victory against Albania in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Friday, while Robert Lewandowski handed Poland a narrow win over Lithuania.
Goals in either half from debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly and captain Harry Kane were enough to get England over the line as they began their qualification campaign for the next World Cup, which will take place in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Since taking over the reins from Gareth Southgate in January, Tuchel promised a more vibrant England side but there were only a few fleeting examples of that in an uninspiring yet efficient win at Wembley.
"We can do better, we have to do better. We started well, we had seven-eight minutes with 100 percent ball possession with a lot of passes and high energy," said a critical Tuchel.
"Second half, I felt we were too slow and in general not enough runs off the ball to get behind the line."
The 51-year-old German described managing England at Wembley for the first time as a "very new experience", adding: "Myles Lewis-Skelly debuts with me on the pitch, so I am not all alone."
Lewis-Skelly, aged 18 years and 176 days, became the youngest player to score on his England debut when he slid a composed finish through the legs of goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha on 20 minutes, following a sublime through-ball by Jude Bellingham.
"I'm lost for words really. I'm just so grateful to the manager for putting trust in me," said the Arsenal teenager.
The other moment of inspiration in the match came with 13 minutes remaining as Kane magnificently plucked a deep Declan Rice cross out of the air at the back post and slotted the ball into the far corner.
Elsewhere on the opening matchday of European qualifying, Poland edged a 1-0 win against Lithuania in Warsaw.
Barcelona striker Lewandowski fired home from the edge of the box in the 81st minute to give Michal Probierz's side a winning start in Group G.
Finland overcame Malta by the same scoreline thanks to a first-half goal by Oliver Antman, with the hosts finishing a player down after Maltese defender Kurt Shaw was dismissed.
Cyprus top Group H thanks to a 2-0 home victory over San Marino, while Bosnia and Hercegovina won 1-0 in Romania.
In England's Group K, Latvia also got underway with a win, beating Andorra 1-0.
nf/dj
-
Tuchel makes winning start as laboured England beat Albania
Thomas Tuchel made a winning start to his England reign without delivering on his promise of a vibrant new era as the Three Lions beat Albania 2-0 in their opening World Cup qualifier on Friday.All ...Yahoo Sports - 11h -
England vs Albania prediction: Harry Kane to earn victory for Thomas Tuchel in first match
Read our free football betting tips ahead of England’s first game under Thomas Tuchel – a 2026 World Cup qualifier against AlbaniaYahoo Sports - 1d -
Tuchel takes first steps on England journey targeting World Cup glory
Over five months on from Thomas Tuchel's appointment as England's new manager, the German will finally take charge of the team for the first time in Friday's World Cup qualifier against Albania at ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Pick your England XI for World Cup qualifiers using Tuchel's squad
Who would you select to start for England in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Thomas Tuchel's first matches in charge?BBC News - Mar. 14 -
Is England v Albania on TV? How to watch Thomas Tuchel’s first match as World Cup qualifying begins
England kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign as Tuchel takes charge at WembleyYahoo Sports - 15h -
Jude Bellingham is England’s talisman and Thomas Tuchel knows it
Thomas Tuchel’s England reign got off to a positive start with a straight-forward 2-0 win over Albania at Wembley, secured thanks to goals from Myles Lewis-Skelly and Harry Kane.Yahoo Sports - 1h -
Salah scores in Egypt World Cup qualifying win
Captain Mohamed Salah scored for Egypt as they eased to a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia in their 2026 World Cup qualifier on Friday, but 2022 semi-finalists Morocco needed a late winner from Bilal El ...ESPN - 4h -
Pick your England XI for World Cup qualifiers
Who would you select to start for England in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Thomas Tuchel's first matches in charge?Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Kyle Walker to start for England as Thomas Tuchel expected to play back four
Kyle Walker is expected to edge closer to winning his 100th England cap by starting in Thomas Tuchel’s first match in charge against Albania on Friday night.Yahoo Sports - 20h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Could Boston Celtics point guard Derrick White finish his NBA career a Hall of Famer?
What else would he need to do to make it?Yahoo Sports - 26m -
“I felt that I could improve” – Cucurella reveals aspect of his game he’s “very happy” to have improved
Marc Cucurella is happy he’s added goals to his game as he felt that’s one of the main things he needed to improve on.Cucurella is having a brilliant season for the Blues and has established himse...Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Piastri takes pole position at Chinese GP ahead of Russell, Hamilton fifth
Oscar Piastri claimed pole position for Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix as Mercedes’ George Russell brilliantly managed to insert himself between the two McLarens in Shanghai.Yahoo Sports - 30m -
NFL draft prospect ranks Commanders' Terry McLaurin as a top 3 wide receiver
One NFL draft prospect says Commanders WR Terry McLaurin is one of the league's three best wide receivers.Yahoo Sports - 37m -
Bid prepared: Man United looking to get ahead of Tottenham in race for £50m transfer
Manchester United are reportedly ready to spend £50million on the potential transfer of Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.According to a report from Fichajes, the Red Devils are ...Yahoo Sports - 40m
More in Sports
-
Could Boston Celtics point guard Derrick White finish his NBA career a Hall of Famer?
What else would he need to do to make it?Yahoo Sports - 26m -
“I felt that I could improve” – Cucurella reveals aspect of his game he’s “very happy” to have improved
Marc Cucurella is happy he’s added goals to his game as he felt that’s one of the main things he needed to improve on.Cucurella is having a brilliant season for the Blues and has established himse...Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Piastri takes pole position at Chinese GP ahead of Russell, Hamilton fifth
Oscar Piastri claimed pole position for Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix as Mercedes’ George Russell brilliantly managed to insert himself between the two McLarens in Shanghai.Yahoo Sports - 30m -
NFL draft prospect ranks Commanders' Terry McLaurin as a top 3 wide receiver
One NFL draft prospect says Commanders WR Terry McLaurin is one of the league's three best wide receivers.Yahoo Sports - 37m -
Bid prepared: Man United looking to get ahead of Tottenham in race for £50m transfer
Manchester United are reportedly ready to spend £50million on the potential transfer of Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.According to a report from Fichajes, the Red Devils are ...Yahoo Sports - 40m