In the latest round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European qualifiers, England once again showcased their strength with a 2-0 victory over minnows Andorra.
At present, England has won all four of their group matches without conceding a single goal. They sit firmly at the top of the table with 12 points, five points clear of Serbia, who have one game in hand and currently hold 7 points.
Next Tuesday, England will travel away to face Serbia in what could prove to be the decisive clash for the outcome of Group K.
Madueke Forces Own Goal, Rice Scores Header
Back in June, England managed only a narrow 1-0 win over Andorra in the away fixture. This time on home soil, despite enjoying 83% possession and creating 11 shots, England’s finishing efficiency was less than clinical, with only two goals scored.
In the 25th minute, Noni Madueke delivered a cross from the right side of the penalty area, which caused chaos in Andorra’s defence and resulted in an own goal, giving the Three Lions a 1-0 lead.
The second goal came in the 67th minute when Reece James sent in a precise cross from the right wing. Declan Rice rose high to head the ball into the net, doubling England’s advantage. Despite further chances, England failed to add more goals.
After the match, head coach Thomas Tuchel admitted that the team should have won by four or five goals. However, he also stressed that he was pleased with the players’ overall attitude and effort. Tuchel noted that while there is room for improvement in attack, the team’s collective performance was commendable.
Anderson Shines on Debut
A notable highlight of the match was the debut of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who started as a holding midfielder for England. He impressed with 127 touches, 114 passes (with a 94% completion rate), 15 ball recoveries, and seven successful duels. His all-around display earned him the Man of the Match award.
Speaking after the game, Anderson revealed: “The coach spoke to me at the hotel before the match and told me that it was normal to feel nervous. He just asked me to stay calm and focus on doing my job.”
Other Group Results
On the same day, Serbia edged Latvia 1-0 away thanks to a decisive strike from Dusan Vlahovic.
Meanwhile, in Group H, both Bosnia and Austria maintained their perfect records. Bosnia thrashed San Marino 6-0 away, with Edin Dzeko scoring twice, while Austria defeated Cyprus 1-0 at home thanks to a penalty from Marcel Sabitzer.
After four rounds, Bosnia sit top of Group H with 12 points, while Austria trails closely behind with 9 points from three games.
Overall, although England failed to deliver the big win many had expected against a much weaker side, they continued their flawless and consistent form.
The upcoming clash against Serbia will be an actual test of their strength and could define the trajectory of Group K.
