With a double against Latvia, the captain Harry Kane led England to the 2026 World Cupafter a 5-0 win in Riga that leaves the ‘Three Lions’ as winners of group K.
Thus, the team led by Thomas Tuchel secures a direct ticket to the tournament, even before the November international window.
He also does so with impressive numbers, having won all six games played, scoring 18 goals… And without conceding any!
“Qualifying with two games remaining is a great success. Without any goals conceded and playing high-quality football,” captain Harry Kane told the ITV network.
“We give the impression that it is easy, but the games can be difficult,” he added.
England, finalist in the last two European Championships, is eager to open its windows again – its only trophy is the 1966 World Cup – and the state of form demonstrated in this European qualifier makes it one of the favorites in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
On Tuesday, it was midfielder Anthony Gordon (16′) who opened the scoring, but Harry Kane, on a roll with Bayern Munich at the start of the season, scored a double just before half-time to seal his ticket to the World Cup.
Harry Kane: “I’m in good shape”
First, he received a ball on the edge of the area and whipped it towards the left of the goal, unreachable by the rival goalkeeper (44′).
Minutes later, he shot to the same side from eleven meters (45+6′, penalty), his 21st goal in 13 games played this season between club and national team.
“The numbers are there, of course, but I also think about the way I feel on the field, the way I see the passes, the runs, and physically, I’m in good shape,” Kane said.
A lucky goal against their goal after a rebound by defender Maksims Tonisevs (59′) and a goal by Eberechi Eze (86′) in the second half, closed the win.
“We play very aggressively, with high pressure. We play a very physical game, it is very demanding but that motivates everyone,” said Tuchel.
In November the Three Lions host Serbia on the 13th and three days later they visit Albania, teams in the middle of the fight to achieve second place in the group, which entitles them to the playoffs.
England is currently the only European team to have certified its ticket to the World Cup.
