England booked their place at next summer’s World Cup as they hammered Latvia 5-0 in Riga.
Another convincing performance from Thomas Tuchel’s men will only serve to raise expectations about what can be achieved in North America in eight months’ time, even accounting for the limited opposition, ranked 137th in the world by FIFA.
England were dominant throughout at the Daugava Stadium on their first-ever trip to Latvia at senior level.
Goals from Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane (two) and Eberechi Eze, plus a freakish own goal by Maksims Tonisevs, ensured they confirmed their berth at next year’s World Cup finals, the inaugural edition of the expanded 48-team format.
England secure their spot
Into the pot go England, thanks to a so-far flawless qualification campaign.
They have reached their eighth successive World Cup, extending their longest-ever run, and did so with two games to spare, yet to even concede a goal.
England are also the first European nation to qualify for the tournament, helped by the fact that neither Serbia nor Albania have emerged as a strong second-best team in Group K.
But, more than anything else, it is down to the high standards they have upheld during this qualification campaign.
The football was slow and tepid earlier in his tenure, but Tuchel seems to have found the formula now, and England have won 5-0, 3-0 and 5-0 in their last three matches. Commanding and encouraging.
Gordon takes his chance
Marcus Rashford is Gordon’s closest competitor for a regular place in Tuchel’s starting lineup as things stand, and the Newcastle winger will no doubt be aware of how well his rival has started at Barcelona.
But Gordon was handed the initiative again in Riga, starting once more, just as he did against Wales on Thursday.
The 24-year-old never stopped running until he made way for Rashford on 71 minutes, pressing the Latvian defence relentlessly and ultimately getting his reward when a ball over the top from John Stones set him free.
Gordon chased it down the left, cut in onto his right and pulled the trigger, firing into the corner to claim his second international goal.
It was one which left Tuchel clenching his fists in delight, England into the lead on the night, Gordon’s goal ultimately setting them on the way to a fine win.
Spence eyeing seat on the plane
Djed Spence made his England debut off the bench in Belgrade last month but his international credentials have gone up a notch since.
His performance against Wales drew attention, a full debut capped by an energetic display down the left flank in which he added to the attack but never neglected his defensive duties.
It was a case of rinse and repeat for the Tottenham man in Latvia, but on the other flank. At right-back, the he put in just as tireless a shift, tracking back when needed but again playing with offensive intent, crossing early and posing questions of the hosts’ defence.
Reece James is the favoured right-back under Tuchel, but there are still question marks at left-back. Myles Lewis-Skelly? Tino Livramento? Spence? As is the case for Livramento, Spence's hopes of a seat on the plane could benefit from being able to play on either side. It’s been a significant few days for him.
