The England national football team delivered a strong and professional performance as they beat Latvia 3-0 at Wembley Stadium on March 24, 2025, in the UEFA European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This result kept England at the top of Group K with two wins in two matches under the guidance of new manager Thomas Tuchel.
Let’s break down how the match unfolded and what it means for England’s World Cup campaign.
Match Overview
- Match: England vs Latvia
- Date: March 24, 2025
- Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
- Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier (UEFA Group K)
- Final Score: England 3-0 Latvia
First Half: Reece James Opens the Scoring with a Stunning Free Kick
The match started at a slow pace as Latvia defended with discipline. England dominated possession, but it took some time to break the Latvian defense.
Finally, in the 38th minute, Reece James curled in a beautiful free-kick from long range. This goal was not only a breakthrough for England, but also marked James’ first international goal.
England ended the first half with a 1-0 lead, with fans hoping for more goals after the break.
Second Half: England Takes Control with Kane and Eze on Target
The second half saw England playing with more confidence and speed. Latvia struggled to create chances, and their defense began to lose shape.
In the 68th minute, Harry Kane doubled England’s lead. The goal came from a great move involving Declan Rice, who delivered a perfect low cross for Kane to tap in from close range.
Just eight minutes later, Eberechi Eze made it 3-0. Coming off the bench, Eze showed great composure to finish neatly, scoring his first ever goal for the senior national team.
England could have scored more, but Latvia’s goalkeeper made a few solid saves to keep the score down.
Tuchel’s Tactical Brilliance on Display
This was England’s second win in two matches under new manager Thomas Tuchel, who took over after Gareth Southgate. His tactical setup was clear – control possession, press high, and unlock tight defenses using technical players.
Tuchel praised his team after the match, especially Reece James and Eze for their breakout performances.
“It was a complete team effort. We respected Latvia’s discipline and stayed patient. There’s still a long way to go, but we are on the right path,” said Tuchel post-match.
Group K Standings After Matchday 2
With this win, England now leads Group K in the UEFA World Cup qualifiers. Here’s how the table looks:
| Team | Played | Points | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 2 | 6 | +5 |
| Albania | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Latvia | 2 | 0 | -4 |
| Serbia | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Note: Serbia hasn’t played yet due to their participation in the UEFA Nations League playoffs.
Key Player Performances
Reece James
- Scored his first international goal
- Strong performance both in defense and attack
- Delivered crosses and set-pieces with precision
Harry Kane
- Scored again, continuing his brilliant form
- Leadership on and off the ball
- Made good runs to stretch Latvia’s defense
Eberechi Eze
- Scored on his first major appearance
- Brought energy and creativity from the bench
- One to watch in the future
What’s Next for England?
England’s next game in the European qualifiers is against Andorra on June 7, 2025. With two wins in the bag, they will look to build momentum and secure early qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
Fans can expect to see more new faces as Tuchel experiments with different players and formations in the coming months.
England’s 3-0 win over Latvia was a comfortable and confident performance that showed the team is adapting well to Tuchel’s system. With young stars like Eze and experienced leaders like Kane and James, the Three Lions look ready to challenge on the world stage.
It’s still early in the qualifiers, but so far, England is looking sharp, united, and focused.
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