Overview
- Bukayo Saka’s 28th-minute volley and Eberechi Eze’s late finish sealed a 2-0 win over Serbia at Wembley to make it seven wins from seven.
- England have scored 20 and conceded none in qualifying, moving toward a first spotless campaign in 35 years after another Jordan Pickford clean sheet.
- Tuchel replaced Harry Kane to test Phil Foden as a false nine with Jude Bellingham in behind, a combination that yielded Foden’s assist for Eze.
- The manager emphasized merit over reputation, saying he is building a team rather than a fixed XI and maintaining that Kane, Bellingham and Foden cannot all start together in his current framework.
- Debutant Nico O’Reilly started at left-back and helped create Saka’s opener, as players pointed to expanded set-piece work influenced by club practices at Arsenal and Aston Villa.