Their memorial to England’s national football team reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. They set out their stall early, laying claim to a commanding 5-0 victory against Serbia at the Marakana Stadium in Belgrade. Since the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as head coach, England has claimed maximum points across their five qualifying games. They’ve since stretched that lead to seven points clear atop the standings of Group K. This is a huge and historic victory! It is the first time since the 1950s that England has maintained a perfect record through World Cup qualifying.
In a tactical masterstroke, Tuchel replaced four players to the side that had beaten Andorra so comfortably. Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Morgan Rogers, and Anthony Gordon rounded out the group. Their arrival speaks to the amazing depth of talent on the roster. The final not only proved England’s unassailable dominance but as players like Ellen White cement personal milestones.
A Historic Night for England
The match started like a heavyweight boxing fight, with England coming out strong to claim the center ring immediately. England’s talisman Harry Kane scored the all-important second goal of the game, but it ultimately set the precedent for what was to come. The captain’s experience and leadership proved invaluable as England held the majority of possession and constantly threatened an equalizer.
Rising star Noni Madueke, who’s certainly starting to make his mark on the international stage, bagged his first senior goal for England. Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi weren’t far behind and both bagged their first goals for the national side. Their bright, aggressive, superb performances made this a feisty match. Marcus Rashford rounded off the display by scoring from the spot, completing a dominant win.
This exceptional performance is even more remarkable considering that Serbia had not allowed a single goal in their previous three qualifying matches. They were two years unbeaten at home heading into this match.
Tactical Excellence from Tuchel
The tactical brilliance of Thomas Tuchel was shown once again since he took the helm on the England national team. His focus on ambition and collaboration was palpable during the fighting USMNT’s intimidating win over Serbia in the opening match.
“We played with a lot of intensity, we put a lot of work in. I think it was teamwork in its purest form, and from there we showed our quality,” stated Tuchel after the match. He complimented his players’ work on the defensive end, specifically pointing out that they held Serbia to no shots on goal.
The District’s manager went on to emphasize the role of collective effort in attaining such a powerful outcome. There is a lot of closing down space, a lot of intensity in the duels, a lot of invisible work that you don’t get any credit for. We accomplished this through tremendous support all throughout the ranks,” he concluded.
It’s Tuchel’s ability to impose clarity on his players’ roles that have taken them to the final, too. “The first camp was very good, the second camp was so-so. We did our learnings and started new, gave the players clarity in their role, in the structure that we are playing,” he explained.
Impact Players Shine
There were no shortage of players who led the way in the opening match against Serbia. As captain, Kane’s leadership shone through as he didn’t just score goals, but set his teammates up to do so as well. Tuchel remarked on Kane’s impressive movement and maturity on the field: “That is what has impressed me over the last few months with him, his movement. Coming short, then spinning, mixing his game up.”
Madueke’s goal showcased his potential as an emerging star for the national team. Tuchel highlighted his impact, saying, “His passing, his movement, he is a threat… He is a nightmare to play against and that is what you want from your attacking players.”
Serbia was under tremendous pressure in the game. It doesn’t help that Nikola Milenkovic got a red card, making it even more difficult for them to stay in check against the intimidatingly powerful England team.
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