At last! England produced a statement performance under Thomas Tuchel on Tuesday as the Three Lions faced down the intimidating atmosphere in Belgrade and calmly thrashed Serbia 5-0 to take a giant step towards sealing their place at the 2026 World Cup.
Harry Kane opened the scoring with a header while Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi all netted their first goals for their country in a fifth win out of five in Group K that all-but assured the Three Lions of top spot and place at the tournament in North America next summer.
Kane and Tuchel warned of the hostile reception England would be on the receiving end of, but they took the game to the hosts from the off. Anthony Gordon had two efforts saved by Djordje Petrovic and Kane missed a chance from close range, but the pressure soon told and England led in the 33rd minute when Kane, taking advantage of some very slack defending from a corner, headed Declan Rice’s out-swinging delivery in.
A wonderful second goal followed two minutes later, the best of the Tuchel era. The move began with Jordan Pickford finding Reece James, and Madueke feeding Elliot Anderson, whose pass back towards the Arsenal winger was helped on by a marvellous flick from Morgan Rogers, which allowed Madueke to bulldoze his way through the area before nonchalantly dinking the ball over Petrovic.
England had an invitation to sit back and protect their lead but instead went looking for more goals in the second half. The third arrived when the ever-lively Gordon collected a short free-kick and went for goal. Petrovic could only push the ball towards the danger zone where three players had gathered and Konsa eventually converted.
Guehi then got in on the act and bundled in a fourth after Nikola Milenkovic had been sent off while substitute Marcus Rashford rounded off a dream night by bagging a late penalty.
BALLGM rates England’s players from the Rajko Mitic Stadium…
At last! England produced a statement performance under Thomas Tuchel on Tuesday as the Three Lions faced down the intimidating atmosphere in Belgrade and calmly thrashed Serbia 5-0 to take a giant step towards sealing their place at the 2026 World Cup.
Harry Kane opened the scoring with a header while Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi all netted their first goals for their country in a fifth win out of five in Group K that all-but assured the Three Lions of top spot and place at the tournament in North America next summer.
Kane and Tuchel warned of the hostile reception England would be on the receiving end of, but they took the game to the hosts from the off. Anthony Gordon had two efforts saved by Djordje Petrovic and Kane missed a chance from close range, but the pressure soon told and England led in the 33rd minute when Kane, taking advantage of some very slack defending from a corner, headed Declan Rice’s out-swinging delivery in.
A wonderful second goal followed two minutes later, the best of the Tuchel era. The move began with Jordan Pickford finding Reece James, and Madueke feeding Elliot Anderson, whose pass back towards the Arsenal winger was helped on by a marvellous flick from Morgan Rogers, which allowed Madueke to bulldoze his way through the area before nonchalantly dinking the ball over Petrovic.
England had an invitation to sit back and protect their lead but instead went looking for more goals in the second half. The third arrived when the ever-lively Gordon collected a short free-kick and went for goal. Petrovic could only push the ball towards the danger zone where three players had gathered and Konsa eventually converted.
Guehi then got in on the act and bundled in a fourth after Nikola Milenkovic had been sent off while substitute Marcus Rashford rounded off a dream night by bagging a late penalty.
BALLGM rates England’s players from the Rajko Mitic Stadium…
Jordan Pickford (6/10):
Came out of his area to help James sweep up one rare moment of danger but was not tested otherwise. Showed his long passing ability to start the move for the second goal.
Reece James (6/10):
A confident display going forward and in defence, albeit not as involved as against Andorra.
Marc Guehi (7/10):
Didn’t put a foot wrong at the back and got his first goal and assist for his country.
Ezri Konsa (7/10):
A fine all-round display. Defended superbly, showed ambition with his passing and proved the pinball wizard to score. Had to take a second when a laser was shone in his face.
Tino Livramento (6/10):
Stopped a dangerous counter by dispossessing Vlahovic. Not as exciting going forward as Lewis-Skelly but perhaps a safer pair of hands defensively.
Declan Rice (8/10):
A complete performance. Showed leadership in the middle and provided two perfect set-piece deliveries for assists.
Elliot Anderson (7/10):
Built on his excellent debut and showed he can also do it against a proper opponent. Did make one dodgy pass which led to a Serbia counter but he kept playing on the front foot and made amends with his role for the second goal.
Morgan Rogers (8/10):
Had an excellent understanding with Madueke and his flick to the winger for his goal was a stroke of genius.
Noni Madueke (8/10):
A constant threat. Made amends for some poor finishing against Andorra with his nerveless strike
Harry Kane (6/10):
Couldn’t get enough contact on his first chance but typically made up for it by getting the ball rolling with a fine header.
Anthony Gordon (8/10):
A constant thorn in Serbia’s side. His dogged running wore them down and Konsa’s goal was thanks to his direct play.
Djed Spence (6/10):
An ideal environment to make his international debut.
Marcus Rashford (7/10):
His pace was highly effective against tired, 10-man Serbia. and he was rewarded for his impressive cameo by scoring the penalty which he had helped win with his reverse pass to Watkins.
Jarrod Bowen (6/10):
A positive display after replacing Madueke.
Ollie Watkins: (7/10):
Very keen to get involved. Denied a goal by the offside flag but stayed focused and earned the penalty.
Jordan Henderson (N/A):
Got a customary 10-minute cameo and must have enjoyed having so little to do.
Thomas Tuchel (7/10):
A fine response to his critics as his side dominated a high-level opponent on their own turf and did not settle for anything less than the big scoreline they craved.
