England stumbled to an unconvincing 1-0 away win over Andorra to continue their winning start to qualification for the 2026 World Cup.Â
Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game after tapping in a Noni Madueke cross in the 50th minute at a near-empty RCDE Stadium.
Thomas Tuchel, in only his third game as manager, saw England struggle to create scoring chances against Andorra, a team ranked 173rd in the world, leading to disappointment among the fans.
The drab win saw the German become the first ever England manager to win his first three competitive games without conceding.
Despite the lackluster performance, England maintains their top spot in the qualifying group with a perfect record of three wins out of three matches, as they aim to secure a spot in the upcoming World Cup.
Here, Mail Sport’s KIERAN GILL provides player ratings from the the RCDE Stadium.
Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game as England stumbled to a 1-0 win over Andorra
The Three Lions’ 1-0 victory sees them remain at the top of their World Cup qualifying group
England will host Senegal at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground in a friendly on Tuesday
England (4-1-4-1)
Jordan Pickford – 6
Following the match, Tuchel emphasized to Pickford the importance of earning his position as England’s first-choice goalkeeper, a challenge made difficult by Andorra’s inability to pose any real threat with their limited attacking opportunities.
Curtis Jones – 7
Perfect pass in behind created England’s long-awaited 50th-minute opener, with Jones having started at right back over his former Liverpool pal Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Ezri Konsa – 6.5
Shifted over to his right when Jones was moving into midfield, which was fairly often as England dominated the ball here. Blocked one rare Andorran attempt late on.
Dan Burn – 6
Probably spent as much of this match in the opposition’s half as his own as he hardly had any defending to do. At least it’s a fairly nice view when standing 6ft 7in tall.
Noni Madueke impressed as England stumbled to a win at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona
Despite the underwhelming performance, England have won all three of their qualifying games
Jordan Henderson manned the midfield although Andorra hardly tested the centre midfielder
Reece James – 6
Started at left back in an experimental line-up from Tuchel which didn’t pay dividends in the first half, but the faith in the same XI was rewarded after half-time, thankfully for Tuchel.
Jordan Henderson – 6
Manned the midfield at 34 years old and was safe enough in possession, though Andorra hardly made his life a misery in that centre before he was substituted after 64 minutes.
Morgan Rogers – 6.5
The odd nice moment when slaloming inside from the right. Trouble is, when he had beaten one Andorra player, he had another six men between him and goal.
Jude Bellingham – 6
Pushed up to become a second striker next to Kane but other than an early attempt from outside of the area, he hardly imposed his Real Madrid might on these minnows.
England were jeered off at the break after a game in which they created almost no chances
England star Jude Bellingham hardly imposed his Real Madrid might on the Andorran minnows
Reece James Started at left back in an experimental line-up from Tuchel which didn’t pay off
Cole Palmer – 6
Tough finding spaces between Andorra’s defensive banks but then he never looked eager enough to make this match about himself. Subbed after 64 minutes.
Noni Madueke – 7.5
Joined his Chelsea team-mate James on the left. Looked like England’s liveliest player in the first half, then set up Kane to score in the second.
Harry Kane – 7
Now tied with Sir Bobby Charlton and Frank Lampard for caps, and scored his 72nd goal for England by stretching to send in Madueke’s cross-cum-shot.
Substitutes
Eberechi Eze (for Palmer, 64) – 6
Would have scored were it not for the fingertips of Iker Alvarez.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Henderson, 64) – 6
Came on at right back which moved Jones into midfield proper.
Declan Rice (for Rogers, 81) – N/A
Anthony Gordon (for Jones, 81) – N/A
Thomas Tuchel kept his 100 per cent record as England boss with his third straight win
Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer never looked eager enough to make this match about himself
Defender Ezri Konsa blocked one rare Andorran attempt late on as England kept a clean sheet
Morgan Gibbs-White (for Bellingham, 90) – N/A
Substitutes not used
Kyle Walker
Levi Colwill
Dean Henderson
Ivan Toney
Myles Lewis-Skelly
James Trafford
Trevoh Chalobah
Manager
Thomas Tuchel – 6
Average score for an average performance. Eventually got his World Cup-qualifying win, but it was hardly the convincing victory we all expected.
