At Villa Park, England earned a 2-0 win over Andorra in a match that delivered on the scoreboard but left the feeling that the attacking play lacked spark. The video with all the goals highlights the decisive moments: an early own goal and England’s strength in the air.

A Win Without Brilliance but Effective

From the start, England dominated possession and dictated the tempo, though they struggled to break down Andorra’s compact defense. The first goal came in the 25th minute when a cross from Noni Madueke forced an own goal by Christian García, putting the hosts ahead. In the second half, at the 67th minute, Declan Rice doubled the lead with a precise header from a Reece James delivery, sealing the 2-0 final score.

Debut and Tactical Analysis

The match also marked the international debut of Elliot Anderson, who came off the bench to bring freshness to the midfield and showed glimpses of quality in his first minutes with the national team. Other substitutions, including Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Gordon, aimed to inject more verticality, although the overall rhythm of the match remained flat at times.

Lessons Looking Ahead

With this victory, England stay at the top of Group K and take another step toward qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Still, beyond the result, coach Thomas Tuchel admitted the team lacked intensity and the sharpness needed to win with greater authority. Facing stronger opponents will require much more, and this game serves as a warning of areas to improve before bigger challenges arrive.

All the Goals