England’s national team, under the leadership of coach Thomas Tuchel, delivered a stunning 5-0 victory against Serbia in a World Cup qualifying match. 

This win was a powerful response to recent criticism and showed the team’s strong attack and defense. 

The game was a showcase for both experienced players like Harry Kane and new talent who stepped up to score. 

The result puts England in an excellent position to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, as they now have a commanding lead in their group with just a few more points needed to secure their spot.

Just days after a lackluster 2-0 win over Andorra that drew criticism from fans, England responded with a commanding performance that saw them control the match from the first whistle. 

Despite playing in a hostile environment, England’s early dominance quieted the Serbian crowd. 

The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when captain Harry Kane scored his 74th international goal with a header from a Declan Rice corner. 

Two minutes later, Noni Madueke netted his first senior goal for England, capitalizing on a clever pass from Morgan Rogers. 

Tuchel praised the winger’s performance, noting, “I’m most happy about his attitude today… He’s fast, he’s direct and he likes to dribble. That’s what we want from him.”

England continued its relentless attack in the second half, with Ezri Konsa scoring a rebound in the 52nd minute. 

The home side’s hopes for a comeback vanished when defender Nikola Milenkovic received a red card for a foul on Kane. 

Marc Guehi scored from the resulting free-kick, and a late penalty from Marcus Rashford sealed the 5-0 rout. 

Defensively, England was impeccable, preventing Serbia from registering a single shot on target and maintaining a run of five consecutive clean sheets under Tuchel.

A key takeaway from the match was England’s ability to perform at a high level without stars like Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka. 

The victory underscored the team’s deep pool of talent, as both Konsa and Guehi scored their first international goals in the same match. 

This is only the third time since 1966 that three or more England players have scored their maiden international goals in the same game. 

Midfielder Elliott Anderson was also a standout, setting a record with 182 completed passes in his first two caps since 2008.

The match also saw a historic moment with the late debut of Djed Spence, who became the first openly Muslim player to represent England’s senior men’s team. 

These performances have given Tuchel “pleasant headaches” as he considers his future team selections. 

The squad’s mix of youth and experience drew praise, with journalist Henry Winter tweeting, “England have so much talent… Playing with more width and hunger, England have a chance of progressing far next summer.”

The win over Serbia marks England’s eighth consecutive competitive victory. 

They now hold a commanding lead in Group K with 15 points from five games, sitting seven points clear of Albania and Serbia. 

With 13 goals scored and none conceded, England needs just five more points from their remaining three matches to guarantee qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. 

The team’s next fixtures include an away match against Latvia on October 14 and a home game against Serbia on November 13. 

This performance has set a new standard for Tuchel’s squad, signaling that they are a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.