Coach Thomas Tuchel can again rely on his captain Harry Kane in the English national football team’s World Cup qualifier on Tuesday (8:45 p.m.) in Latvia.
“Harry can play, he’s fit,” said the national coach about the star striker, who he had rested because of his ankle problems in last Thursday’s friendly against Wales (3-0).
“We did the right thing,” emphasized Tuchel. “I don’t see why he shouldn’t be able to play 90 minutes. I don’t see any obstacles.”
Kane, who has scored 74 goals in 109 international matches, was substituted shortly before the end of FC Bayern’s Bundesliga game at Eintracht Frankfurt (3-0) on October 4th after a collision with opposing goalkeeper Kaua Santos. He then gave the all-clear and emphasized that he had not really been injured.
Kane’s Three Lions are clearly on course for the World Cup in their qualifying group K after five wins in five games. Another success against the blatant outsiders in Riga would secure a ticket to the 2026 finals.
“Of course we are aware of the fact that we are the favorites,” said Tuchel: “We expect a win, but we also want to see a performance that makes us happy.”
In November, the 1966 world champion still has duels with Serbia (seven points) and second-placed Albania (eleven).