England maintain perfect World Cup qualifying record with victory over Serbia
England secured a **2-0 victory** against Serbia in their latest World Cup qualifying match at Wembley, a result that keeps their record perfect in the competition, reports BritPanorama.
The Three Lions saw goals from Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, both scored in different halves, to ensure they continued their winning streak. This match marked a significant boost for manager Thomas Tuchel following a series of competitive fixtures.
Before kick-off, much of the media attention was on Jude Bellingham, who has not played for England since the loss to Senegal in June. Despite his prominent reputation, Bellingham was benched in favour of Morgan Rogers, a choice Tuchel explained was due to the Aston Villa player’s closer alignment with the team’s tactical needs.
Bellingham did eventually enter the game as a substitute and contributed to the team’s success, yet the manager’s decision signals a shift from the previous regime under Gareth Southgate, where Bellingham was often seen as indispensable.
In Tuchel’s view, Rogers deserved the start owing to his strong recent performances and familiarity with the team’s approach. “It is normal. They compete at the moment for the same position and they’re still friends,” he stated. This friendship appears intact despite the competitive nature of their positions.
The match showcased England’s resilience, particularly in the first half, where they capitalised on scoring opportunities. Saka opened the scoring with a well-executed volley in the 28th minute, followed by Eze’s late goal, further demonstrating the team’s attacking prowess. However, the match also required England to maintain a robust defensive strategy, as Tuchel acknowledged the complicated nature of the encounter against a well-prepared Serbian side.
Tuchel expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting, “It was a difficult match… they knew everything about us and we knew nothing about them.” The England manager stressed the importance of maintaining clean sheets and overcoming challenging moments in matches, adding a note of realism to the team’s performance expectations.
With this win, England solidifies their position at the top of Group A and lays a strong foundation heading into their upcoming fixture against Albania. Meanwhile, Serbia faces a critical match against Latvia on Sunday as they strive to secure their own place in the World Cup.
As England heads confidently towards the World Cup, there lingers the question of how competition for places, especially in talent-rich areas like midfield, will shape the squad dynamic. The duality of camaraderie and rivalry within the squad is poised to define the team as they continue their qualifying campaign.
