Reece James netted his first goal for England against Latvia, on his first start since September 2022, and yet the Chelsea right-back didn’t seem to celebrate his free-kick
Reece James has explained why he didn’t seem to celebrate his first goal for England. James curled in a stunning free-kick from 25 yards to give The Three Lions the lead against Latvia at Wembley, yet barely seemed to react once it hit the back of the net.
His goal ignited things on another low-key evening for Thomas Tuchel’s side, who ended up cruising to a 3-0 win thanks to further goals from Harry Kane and Eberechi Eze. Chelsea right-back James was starting for England for the first time since September 2022, having endured a difficult past few years due to injury.
He was handed a route back into the team when his former Chelsea boss Tuchel landed the England job – and he took his chance at Wembley on Monday night. And yet his lack of celebration, as he was mobbed by Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly, prompted surprise from ex-England defender Lee Dixon.
“Well I’m not too sure about his celebration,” Dixon said on ITV. “If I’d scored a goal like that I’d still be running around Wembley. Absolutely top drawer. It’s got everything on it. The keeper has a little look and a little think, but he can get nowhere near this… a dreamboat goal.”
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He added: “I don’t know if there’s anything in that celebration or the lack of, but hopefully he enjoyed it on the inside.”
James was asked about his thinking after the final whistle. “It’s been a long time, I’ve had a frustrating two and a half years,” he explained. “So I’m happy to get called up for my country again and I’m happy to play.
“I saw the wall and I felt I could bend it around and thankfully I managed to hit the back of the net. I was a bit surprised it actually hit the net. I thought the keeper could have maybe got there, but looking at the replay, it was probably tough.”
Crystal Palace star Eze also grabbed his first England goal with a deflected strike after cutting inside from the left wing. He wasn’t surprised to see James break the deadlock while watching on from the bench.
“We know the qualities that he’s got,” he said. “He’s capable of hitting dead balls like that and it’s expected with his quality.”
Tuchel was delighted to see his selection pay off, particularly with a player he knows well from Chelsea. “I know Reecey [James] and the quality the boy has is amazing,” he told ITV.
“He has every right to be proud and happy with his performance. He is in excellent shape. He looks sharp, in shape after consecutive weeks of training and of the quality there can be no doubt.”
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