New boss Thomas Tuchel critical of efficient England, Dodgers game sets Japan TV record
England’s uninspiring performance against Albania in World Cup qualifier leaves manager saying team ‘have to do better’.
Thomas Tuchel made a winning start to life as England coach with a 2-0 victory against Albania in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Friday, while Robert Lewandowski handed Poland a narrow win over Lithuania.
Goals in either half from debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly and captain Harry Kane were enough to get England over the line as they began their qualification campaign for the next World Cup, which will take place in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Since taking over the reins from Gareth Southgate in January, Tuchel promised a more vibrant England side but there were only a few fleeting examples of that in an uninspiring yet efficient win at Wembley.
“We can do better, we have to do better. We started well, we had seven-eight minutes with 100 per cent ball possession with a lot of passes and high energy,” Tuchel said.
“Second half, I felt we were too slow and in general not enough runs off the ball to get behind the line.”
The 51-year-old German described managing England at Wembley for the first time as a “very new experience”, adding: “Myles Lewis-Skelly debuts with me on the pitch, so I am not all alone.”