In a tense encounter at Espanyol’s stadium in Barcelona, Harry Kane emerged as the hero for England, scoring the only goal in a match that saw Thomas Tuchel’s side struggle to find their rhythm against a resolute Andorra. The stakes were placed on a date when fans were expecting and hoping for a mighty smack-down. For the England team and their 7,000 fans who traveled there, it quickly turned into an embarrassing ordeal.
German coach Thomas Tuchel had vowed to “do something” unusual to penetrate Andorra’s massed ranks. He called for a persuasive victory and a doubt-free performance. Unfortunately, his players produced next to nothing in the way of incisive ball movement, sharp ball control, creative playmaking and run-stretching, leading to a terrible first half. England played at 50% intensity and looked like they weren’t interested, like they’d rather be anywhere but stood on the pitch.
That tension finally snapped when the halftime whistle blew. It was Tuchel’s first taste of his team being booed off, so soon in his tenure. After his shoutings from the sidelines had led pre-game favorites to a string of underperforming matches, it was too much for this frustrated manager.
These games saw Jordan Henderson returned to the starting eleven. This was his first appearance in front of the defense since November 2022. His physical presence was intended as a stabilizing force. He never was really able to light a fire under a dispirited team that played without an incentive. Curtis Jones took up what Tuchel had called the half-space, trying to give an outlet, insurance and invention. England’s shape, loosely organized as 3-1-5-1, was not effective.
That breakthrough moment came in the second half. On Kane’s 106th cap as he scored, sending the Wembley crowd wild! Indeed, the Tottenham striker’s first touch and finish was glorious, his goal set up by a beautiful slide-rule ball from Jones. This goal sealed the win! It brought Kane level with Sir Bobby Charlton and Frank Lampard on the all-time appearance list, putting him joint-seventh.
Kane’s attempt was an enormous sigh of relief for the England fans. Even that brilliance by Acosta couldn’t mask the team’s overall failures on the day. Tuchel had seemingly attempted to inject new life by providing the likes of Sydney, Mal Pugh and Sophia Smith minutes as substitutes. Fundamentally, England were poor at overplaying and getting the second movement.
The game underscored what an uphill battle Tuchel has in front of him. He needs to implement new schemes and motivate his team to live up to sky-high expectations. It remains clear that while Kane’s goal salvaged the situation, much work is needed for England to perform at their best consistently.