England achieved a second victory in the qualifying group "K" for the 2024 World Cup, after beating Latvia 3:0 at "Wembley", sportal.bg reported.
Reece James opened the scoring in the 38th minute, and Harry Kane doubled in the 68th. Eberechi Eze shaped the final score in the 76th minute. For the Chelsea captain and the Crystal Palace star, these were the first goals with the national shirt. In Thomas Tuchel's debut three days ago, the British won 2:0 against Albania. The German became the first England coach since Fabio Capello (2008) to win his first two official matches. Latvia, 136 places behind the Three Lions in the FIFA rankings, remain on three points after a 1-0 away win over underdogs Andorra in their opening match.
England are now unbeaten in 33 consecutive World Cup qualifiers.
Tuchel made four changes from Friday's game. Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rodgers started for the first time as England's starter. Reece James, Mark Gaye and Jarrod Bowen also started. Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, Dan Byrne and Curtis Jones took their places.
For the first time since the goalless draw with France at Euro 1992, England's starting line-up did not include a single active player from Liverpool, Manchester United or Manchester City.
The visitors' coach Paulo Nicolato made only one change. Jaunzens replaced Melniks. The visitors started with a five-man defence.
England had 80% of the possession in the first quarter of an hour, but were unable to create an early clear-cut chance. The visitors' first big surprise came from the visitors. In the 19th minute, Gaye and Pickford disagreed, and Gutkovskis found himself alone with the ball in front of an empty goal, but he failed to hit the target and shot wide.
Three minutes later, the home team finally created a clear chance. Bellingham headed Rice's cross from a corner, but the ball hit Rashford's back, then reached Konsa, who shot from a few meters, but Zwiedris somehow managed to clear. Shortly after, Kane's header went over the goal.
In the 27th minute, the visitors' goalkeeper dropped the ball, then threw himself at the feet of Bowen, who fell. The situation was reviewed for a possible penalty, but none was awarded.
The English increased the pressure with each passing minute. Rashford and Bellingham missed successive opportunities. In the 38th minute, the "Three Lions" logically took the lead after a perfectly executed free kick by Reece James. This was also the first goal of the Chelsea captain with the national team.
In the 56th minute, Jude Bellingham could have received a second yellow card, as the guests had claimed, after a foul in the back against Jurovskis. However, the Real player was shown a yellow card by the main referee.
In the first 20 minutes of the second half, the tempo was low and the English did not create anything in front of the guests' goal. In the 64th minute, Harry Kane shot just beyond the edge of the penalty area, but wide of the goal.
In the 68th minute, Rodgers brought Rice into the penalty area well, who then very accurately crossed the ball to the far post, where Kane intercepted for 2:0, scoring his 71st goal for England.
In the 76th minute, Eze received from Foden, advanced from the left and after a few feints shot. The ball ricocheted off a defender's foot and entered the Latvian goal for the third time. This is a debut goal with the national jersey for the Crystal Palace star.
By the end, Rodgers, Konsa, Gaye and Kane failed to make England's victory more convincing.
Here are all the results from last night's European World Cup qualifiers:
< /> San Marino - Romania 1:5