Despite all the criticism, Thomas Tuchel is getting England’s national football team better and better on track. Even without midfield star Jude Bellingham, who was not taken into account, and the ailing captain Harry Kane, the German national coach celebrated a convincing 3-0 (3-0) win with the Three Lions in the friendly against Wales. It was the sixth success in the seventh game as coach of the 1966 world champions.
After just 130 seconds, Morgan Rogers scored his first international goal at Wembley Stadium to give the hosts an early lead, and Ollie Watkins increased the lead a little later (11th). It had only been about 20 minutes when Bukayo Saka made it 3-0. In the second half, England slowed down several gears and Wales had a few chances.
Tuchel, who had caused a stir by foregoing the recovered Bellingham, did not include a single player from the major clubs Liverpool FC, Chelsea FC and Manchester United in the starting line-up. The last time that happened was in 1992.
Captain and goalscorer Kane was missing, but the Munich player should be fit again for the qualifying game on Tuesday (8:45 p.m./DAZN) in Latvia. He suffered a blow to his right ankle during Bayern’s 3-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt last Saturday.
In Latvia, the Three Lions, who have won all five games in Group K so far, could complete their World Cup qualification with a win. Wales will face Belgium in Group J on Monday (8.45 p.m./DAZN) and still have a chance of a direct World Cup ticket.