Thomas Tuchel’s tenure as England manager kicked off with a solid, if not spectacular, 2-0 victory over Albania in the Three Lions’ opening 2026 World Cup qualifying match at Wembley Stadium on Friday night. Goals from debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly and captain Harry Kane sealed the win, giving England a perfect start in Group K, though the performance left room for improvement as Tuchel begins to imprint his philosophy on the squad.
The match marked a historic moment for 18-year-old Arsenal starlet Myles Lewis-Skelly, who became England’s youngest debutant goalscorer. The teenager announced himself on the international stage in the 20th minute, latching onto a sublime through ball from Jude Bellingham before calmly slotting his effort between the legs of Albania goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Wembley faithful, who witnessed the dawn of a potential new star under Tuchel’s guidance.
England dominated possession throughout the first half, with Declan Rice and Curtis Jones anchoring the midfield while Bellingham roamed with intent. Dan Burn, another debutant, nearly added to the scoreline when his header crashed off the crossbar, underlining a promising night for Tuchel’s new faces. However, the hosts struggled to convert their control into clear-cut chances, with Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden failing to make a decisive impact on the wings.
Albania, led by captain Berat Djimsiti, offered little in the first period, though their resilience grew after the break. The introduction of striker Armando Broja in the second half injected life into the visitors’ attack, with the forward creating three notable chances. England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was forced into action to preserve the clean sheet, notably after a mix-up with Burn nearly gifted Albania an equalizer.
The game remained in the balance until the 77th minute when Harry Kane, as he so often does, delivered the knockout blow. Declan Rice’s pinpoint cross found the England captain inside the box, and Kane controlled the ball with a deft touch before curling a clinical finish past Strakosha. It was a moment of quality that eased any lingering nerves and ensured Tuchel’s first outing ended in victory.
Post-match, Tuchel praised his team’s effort but was candid about areas needing refinement. “We can do better, and we have to do better,” he said. “I want more impact from the wide players—more dribbling, more aggressive runs. Marcus [Rashford] and Phil [Foden] can be more decisive.” The German tactician singled out Lewis-Skelly for praise, calling him “fearless” and a “special talent,” a sentiment echoed by Rice, who added, “He’s only 18, but he does everything right. He’s a joy to play with.”
England’s next test comes quickly, as they host Latvia at Wembley on Monday in their second qualifier. For Tuchel, this win provides a foundation to build upon as he aims to mold this talented squad into World Cup contenders. For Lewis-Skelly, it’s a night he’ll never forget—a dream debut that signals a bright future for both player and country.