Bukayo Saka took centre stage with a wondrous strike to help England win 3-0 in a one-sided friendly with Wales at Wembley.
A month on from their 5-0 thrashing of Serbia, England flew out of the blocks and were rewarded for their early intensity as Morgan Rogers struck a confident first-time finish beyond Karl Darlow in only the third minute.
After setting up Rogers, Marc Guehi grabbed his second assist of the night just seven minutes later to increase the deficit. This time, Ollie Watkins – starting in place of the injured Harry Kane – was the beneficiary, bundling the ball home from close range.
A returning Saka put his recent fitness problems behind him with an unstoppable strike from the edge of the box to give the hosts a deserved three-goal lead inside 20 minutes, undoubtedly the standout moment of real quality in the contest.
The Three Lions refused to take their foot off the gas against a tiring Welsh defence after the break and Rogers came close to adding his second of the evening, only to be denied by the crossbar.
Jordan Pickford sprung to his left to keep out Chris Mepham with a top save in the 71st minute and that was as good as it got for the visitors, with England holding firm after ringing the changes in the second half.
The Euro 2024 runners-up will look to continue in the same vein when they resume their World Cup qualifying campaign against Latvia on Tuesday, having won nine of their last ten matches stretching back to last October.
Tuchel’s men sit seven points clear of second-placed Albania at the top of Group K ahead of their trip to Riga, knowing two more wins will guarantee them a spot at next year’s tournament.
Here’s how Metro rated the performances of England’s players in the defeat of Wales…
A momentary lapse in concentration from Pickford very nearly gifted Harry Wilson a goal against the run of play in the 33rd minute, but the Everton goalkeeper was a spectator for the most part at Wembley.
Had to be on his toes to keep out a goal-bound header from Mepham in the one moment he was called upon.
Hasn’t conceded a single goal since England’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of Greece last October.
Djed Spence – 7
Given the nod over Myles Lewis-Skelly, Spence did not look out of place in his second appearance for the senior side.
After a strong start to the season with Spurs, the full-back is putting together a serious case to be included in Tuchel’s squad should England safely secure qualification for the World Cup.
Combined well with Anthony Gordon on the left flank and appears to be growing in confidence with every touch of the ball at international level. Has Tuchel found his man at left-back?
Though selected for his defensive qualities, Guehi proved a handful at the other end of the pitch, assisting Rogers with a pinpoint cutback early on before nodding the ball into Watkins’ path for England’s second.
A poor challenge on Kieffer Moore towards the end of the first half, for which he was booked, was the only blemish on an otherwise faultless display from the Crystal Palace captain – now surely one of the first names on Tuchel’s teamsheet.
Winning his first cap in exactly a year, there were no signs of any nerves from Stones, who even began showboating with an audacious flicked pass out from the back when England were 2-0 in front.
Was replaced in the second half after going down with a worrying-looking injury.
Starting on the right side of Tuchel’s defence, the Aston Villa defender proved once again that he is more than capable at this level – providing a calm assurance to England’s new-look backline.
Rarely lets England down and that was the case again tonight at Wembley.
Standing in for the injured Harry Kane as skipper, Rice pulled the strings at the heart of Tuchel’s midfield, just as he has done all season at club level with Arsenal.
Showed real leadership in a relatively inexperienced side to further underline why he is one of Tuchel’s most trusted lieutenants heading into next year’s World Cup.
After collecting the man-of-the-match award on debut against Andorra, Anderson picked up where he left off with another eye-catching showing for the Three Lions.
Should really have opened his account for England when put through shortly before the break, though.
If there were still any lingering doubts about Anderson’s capability of performing on the international stage, they’ve surely now been extinguished for good.
Had the first real chance of the game, but Darlow got down well to nudge his effort behind for a corner.
The Newcastle winger provided a constant threat down the left flank throughout and there was a swagger in his play as the contest wore on. Neco Williams will be glad to see the back of him.
It’s been an up-and-down start to the season for Rogers, but the Villa man was on hand to open the scoring with an exquisite first-time finish past a hapless Darlow.
The goal gave Rogers the confidence to roam freely as the first half wore on and the 23-year-old – last season’s PFA Young Player of the Year – proved a nuisance with a lethal combination of pace, power and game intelligence in the middle of the park.
Could have had a second at the start of the second half, but smashed his effort against the crossbar.
Bukayo from – 9
After an injury-hit start to the season with Arsenal, Saka gave Tuchel a reminder of his importance to England’s World Cup hopes with undoubtedly the goal of the game in the 20th minute.
England’s star man on the night.
Ollie Watkins – 7
Given the opportunity to lead the line in Kane’s absence, Watkins did not disappoint.
The Villa striker was in the right place at the right time to double England’s advantage with the simplest of tap-ins and stretched Wales’ defence throughout before the break.
Was taken off at half-time after clattering into the upright. As long as he came away unscathed and escaped serious injury, Watkins will be satisfied with his night’s work.
SUBSTITUTES
Marcus Rashford – 6
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 5
Jordan Henderson – 5
Morgan Gibbs-White – 6
Jarrod Bowen – 5
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6
Wales player ratings
Karl Darlow – 5
Not really to blame for the three goals and did make a sharp save with his boot early on.
Neco Williams – 4
Not his greatest evening, was left floundering as Watkins scored the second.
Ben Davies – 3
The defence was shoddy in the first half and the most experienced head did little to help that.
Joe Rodon – 6
On a tough night for the Welsh backline, Rodon was easily the standout.
Jay DaSilva – 5
Dealt with Saka pretty well at left-back and wasn’t up against the forward when he curled in a beauty.
Ethhan ampadu – 5
Neat and tidy enough when he got the ball, but couldn’t influence the game.
Brennan Johnson – 3
Largely anonymous going forward.
Harry Wilson – 3
Very little chance to do what he does best.
Liam Cullen – 3
Nearly cost his team a fourth when he gave the ball away to Gordon.
David Brooks – 5
Couldn’t stop Saka when up against him for the third goal. Did produce a decent volley on goal and then put in a superb cross which substitute Harris should have converted.
Kieffer Moore – 4
Worked really hard defensively but offered next to no threat up front.
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