Harry Kane is injured, Jude Bellingham is not nominated – but Thomas Tuchel’s England impressed in the 3-0 (3-0) friendly win against Wales even without their two best footballers.
It had been 121 seconds when the television cameras captured England coach Thomas Tuchel for the first time in the friendly against Wales. Tuchel jumped, once, twice, his hands clenched into fists. He celebrated England’s opening goal. Morgan Rogers scored it with a low shot from close range. For Rogers, 23, it was the first goal in his ninth international match.
That’s how it went that evening: On the pitch, Tuchel’s English dominated the game, letting the ball and opponents run. At some point they spotted a gap or Wales made a mistake – both happened. That’s how the goals fell. Sooner or later the cameras were always pointed at Tuchel.
That’s how it was when England made it 2-0 in the 11th minute: Rogers prepared the goal with a half-high cross, which flew through the Welsh six-yard box before Ollie Watkins finished at the far post. Bukayo Saka scored the 3-0 – and what a great goal it was: Saka was standing on the right edge of the penalty area when he got the ball. He took two or three quick steps, then shot at the far corner with feeling and precision. Coach Tuchel was happy on the sidelines.
Tuchel has been criticized a lot for his decision not to play Bellingham
For Tuchel, 52, it was the sixth victory in the seventh international match as England coach. Nevertheless, there had been criticism of him recently, which had less to do with his statistics and more to do with his squad nomination. This time too, he did without Jude Bellingham, who missed the international matches in September with an injury but would now have been able to play again.
“He is a special player and there can be special rules for special players”said Tuchel, meaning Bellingham. “But this time we wanted to stick with the same group that worked so well in September.” That wasn’t well received everywhere. The “Mirror” for example wrote: “However he wants to package this decision, ignoring the best player is simply the wrong decision.”
Without Bellingham and Kane – then Rogers shines
Against the weak Welsh, the “Three Lions” managed without Bellingham’s ideas, passes and goals. Even the loss of striker Harry Kane was of no consequence. This was also due to the fact that players from the second row were convincing this time. The most noticeable player was Rogers, he provided assists and goalscorer, only the aluminum later prevented a second goal (52nd).
It is quite possible that Rogers will also be in Tuchel’s starting line-up against Latvia next Tuesday (October 14, 2025, from 8:45 p.m.). Then England could qualify early for next year’s World Cup with a win.