England put on the style in Belgrade to thrash Serbia 5-0 and effectively book their place at next summer’s World Cup, with Thomas Tuchel enjoying his best night as Three Lions boss
Finally we saw a glimpse of Thomas Tuchel’s England – and it was enough to get the fans dreaming again. England rose to the occasion in the Rajko Mitić Stadium with a statement victory which as good as books their place at next summer’s World Cup.
It was also about the manner in which they got the job done: disciplined, clinical and hugely impressive in what is usually a difficult and intimidating place. But England turned into a procession as they ran riot while Serbia’s captain, Nottingham Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic, was also sent off.
And just days after Tuchel promised to go route one start using set pieces ahead of next summer, even that worked a treat as Declan Rice did for England what he does for Arsenal with two brilliant deliveries.
The first was a corner for Harry Kane to open the scoring and his second assist set up Marc Guehi who scored his first goal for England from a terrific Rice free kick. It was a night of firsts as Ezri Konsa and Noni Madueke also scored their first goals for England.
It was actually hard to think how it could have gone much better for England because, after a somewhat underwhelming start to Tuchel’s reign, this was more like it.
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England were entertaining, they scored goals aplenty and they quelled the home crowd who began chanting for their manager to be sacked and riot police moved in to stop anti-Government protests.
Of course you can say it is only Serbia but they had lost just one of their previous 28 World Cup qualifiers at home, a record stretching back to 2001.
This was undoubtedly Tuchel’s toughest test to date and they passed with flying colours. It was no wonder the 2,500 travelling fans were singing and celebrating as the goals flew in.
England were solid in defence, Elliot Anderson impressed again in midfield and Madueke used his pace to get in behind Serbia’s defence when he scored the second goal. That was Madueke’s first goal on his ninth cap and the Arsenal winger is really stepping up a level both for club and country.
England have been so consistent in qualifying campaigns – incredibly, they are now unbeaten in 36 World Cup qualifiers – albeit it is so often against second rate opponents. But Tuchel promised Serbia – and the occasion – would bring out the best in his England team and they delivered for him.
England had to wait until the 33rd minute to take the lead. Until then, Serbia had been a tough nut to crack. Then Rice swung over a corner, Kane was left unmarked and the England captain got his 74th goal in his 109th cap.
Two minutes later, it was 2-0. Anderson’s pass found Rogers and he released Madueke who turned on the turbo jets and lifted the ball over the keeper. It was a lovely goal.
Konsa got a third after 52 minutes. Anthony Gordon’s shot was pushed away, Serbia failed to clear and Konsa forced in. Milenkovic got his marching orders for a foul on Kane and then, from the resulting Rice free kick, Guehi scored from close range.
There was still time for England to get a fifth. After a VAR review, a penalty was given for a foul on Ollie Watkins. Up stepped Marcus Rashford to score.
The England fans began to chant: “Who put the ball in the Serbia net? Half our f***ing team did.” It was a night to remember.
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