PARIS: Thomas Tuchel has completed his first task as England manager with ease as the Three Lions became the first European side to qualify for the 2026 World Cup by beating Latvia 5-0 on Tuesday.

After a perfect qualifying record of six wins and 18 goals without conceding from six games — and an unassailable seven-point lead over second-placed Albania in Group ‘K’, the hard work for the German now begins in burdening great expectations in tough conditions next year in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

England are looking to end a 60-year wait to win a major men’s tournament and Tuchel is putting his own stamp on the team. He might potentially be winning over some critics who wanted an English person in charge of the national team.

He has made some big calls, like leaving out high-profile players like Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden from the squad and taking on England’s fans for being too quiet in the last match, but is getting some impressive results — albeit against mediocre opposition.

If the 5-0 win in Serbia last month was the statement result in Tuchel’s tenure so far, this latest thrashing in Riga was another sign of the assuredness and ruthlessness in the team.

The Three Lions thought they had taken an early lead when Harry Kane found the net inside two minutes, but the flag was raised for offside. Moments later, the Bayern Munich striker missed a golden opportunity from close range.

England eventually broke through in the 26th minute when Anthony Gordon cut inside from the left and curled a fine effort into the far corner.

Kane soon made amends for his earlier misses, striking twice before halftime, first with a composed finish from the edge of the box in the 44th minute, and then a penalty deep into stoppage time following a VAR-confirmed handball.

Kane’s double saw him surpass Nat Lofthouse’s record for multi-goal games for England, having now scored more than once in a match on 13 occasions. He has 21 goals in 13 games this season for club and country.

Latvia’s defensive resilience crumbled in the 58th minute when Maksims Tonisevs conceded an own goal before England substitute Eberechi Eze added the finishing touch late on, drilling home a low shot to complete the rout, with England now able to look forward to December’s draw for next year’s finals.

“It comes rarely that you qualify for a World Cup, so the mood is very, very good,” Tuchel said, while England defender John Stones added: “We’re building something special.”

All 12 group winners in Europe qualify directly for the World Cup, with the runners-up going on to play-offs.

Serbia are a point behind Albania after fighting back to win 3-1 in Andorra.

Guillaume Lopez gave Andorra the lead with a stunning strike from inside the centre circle which sailed over Serbia goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.

Christian Garcia’s own-goal brought Serbia level before Dusan Vlahovic headed them in front and Aleksandar Mitrovic netted a penalty.

PORTUGAL FORCED TO WAIT

Cristiano Ronaldo set a new record for World Cup qualifying goals but Group ‘F’ leaders Portugal were denied early qualification by a late Hungary equaliser to snatch a 2-2 draw in Lisbon.

Two Ronaldo goals – the first his 40th in qualifying to set the new landmark – put Portugal on the brink of qualification but Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai struck in added time.

Attila Szalai headed Hungary in front only for Ronaldo to turn in Nelson Semedo’s driven cross to equalise midway through the first half.

Ronaldo then converted a Nuno Mendes cross to give Portugal the lead in first-half stoppage time, taking the 40-year-old Al Nassr superstar to an all-time international record of 143 goals in 225 appearances for his country.

However, Hungary snatched a draw when Szoboszlai finished from close range in the first minute of added-on time.

Expect Ronaldo still to get to a record sixth World Cup, but he must wait another month for that to be confirmed. Portugal need just a point from their next match, in Ireland on Nov 13, to clinch a seventh straight qualification to the World Cup.

Hungary remain five points behind Portugal with two games left and could still top Group ‘F’, while Ireland theoretically could too after Evan Ferguson’s header secured a 1-0 victory against Armenia, who had Tigran Barseghyan sent off.

PROTESTS IN ITALY

Italy’s meeting with Israel in Udine was prefaced by clashes between some pro-Palestinian demonstrators and police as thousands more peacefully marched through the northern Italian city in anger at the hosting of a match they felt should not have been played.

The match was placed in the highest risk category despite a breakthrough ceasefire deal that has paused two years of war in Gaza. There have been calls for FIFA to exclude Israel from international competition in response to the country’s genocide in the Gaza Strip.

There was a huge security presence around the Bluenergy Stadium hosting the Group ‘I’ fixture, won 3-0 by Italy.

The Azzurri are desperate to qualify for the World Cup having failed to make it to the last two editions.

Mateo Retegui converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time and scored again with a stunning hit on 74 minutes.

Gianluca Mancini headed in a late third to ensure that Italy will finish at least second in the group and are now just three points behind leaders Norway with two games left.

The teams meet next month but Norway’s superior goal difference means they remain primed to finish first. Estonia and Moldova drew 1-1 in the same group on Tuesday.

MERINO DOUBLE

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino extended his remarkable scoring spree to six goals in the last four World Cup qualifying matches with two headers in the 4-0 win against Bulgaria in Valladolid.

An Atanas Chernev own goal and late Mikel Oyarzabal penalty maintained Spain’s 100 per cent record, having yet to concede, in Group ‘E’.

“We don’t have much further to go to get to the World Cup, but it’s not done yet... I hope we keep winning,” Merino told Spanish television.

Spain are three points clear of Turkey, who beat Georgia 4-1 at home with Merih Demiral bagging a brace. Kenan Yildiz and Yunus Akgun also scored for them.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2025