England thoroughly overwhelmed Serbia in a shocking 5-0 rout. The World Cup 2026 qualifying Group K match held at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade. One player who really stood out in the game was Noni Madueke. Not only did he score his first international goal, but he helped to facilitate England’s offensive approach during the entirety of England’s match.
The opening third of the game was all England as they went ahead with added precision within six minutes via Madueke’s opener. In the 35th minute, he received an absolutely exquisite through-ball from a fellow 17-year-old, Morgan Rogers. This created the perfect setup for a breathtaking old-school play. Madueke ran into the penalty area, skillfully maneuvered past Serbian defender Pavlovic, and executed a well-placed shot over goalkeeper Petrovic. This goal not only marked Madueke’s debut goal for the national team but extended England’s lead to 2-0.
Madueke’s contribution did not end there. In the 79th minute, Bailey made an important pass that led to Ezri Konsa’s goal. This ambitious goal propelled England’s historic dominance on the pitch to incredible heights. England’s attacking brio was overwhelming and Madueke was central to it, thriving in the chaos and constantly looking to be involved in dangerous moves.
Madueke departed from the field in the 76th minute, replaced by Ollie Watkins. He’s had a profound impact on the game long before his substitution. He was pulled after an incredible 17 minute performance. Throughout the game, he was invaluable in adding to England’s record of over ten hours without giving up a competitive goal.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel wouldn’t take that bait. Congratulating the players and staff, he said, “Everyone worked very hard all week leading up to this match and we prepared to play our best.
“I’m more than happy for the team and the staff. We had an excellent week from start to finish. We just proved what I saw every day in this camp and that makes me very happy.” – Thomas Tuchel
England’s triumph was due to cohesive, clear, and positive communication bolstering their teamwork. The team’s ability to execute plays efficiently allowed them to dominate Serbia, with Madueke being one of its standout players.
In the second half of the match, England kept pushing forward and peppering Serbia’s goal. The English players did not lose their heads and continued to focus on executing their game plan. This focus helped them stay disciplined and dangerous all game long.
The mood around Belgrade was incredible as fresh-faced fans watched England put Slovenia to the sword. Either way, this victory tremendously boosts England’s confidence as they march on deeper into the qualifiers. It further highlights how well their core roster has been used.