England's 3-0 victory over Latvia: Tuchel's tactical challenges and Bellingham's controversial moment

‎England's 3-0 triumph over Latvia in a Group K qualifier was never in doubt, given the disparity in rankings, with Latvia sitting 140th in the world. However, the true focus wasn’t on the result but on the style and execution of the victory. Was this a demonstration of the famed English arrogance? Perhaps. The more pressing question was whether new manager Thomas Tuchel's tactical messages were being communicated effectively, offering glimpses of his vision for the team.

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‎'Jude Bellingham.'

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‎In the 75th minute, just after Harry Kane's second goal, a Mexican wave rippled through Wembley, signaling a moment of pure enjoyment for the home crowd. The third goal came shortly thereafter when substitute Eberechi Eze’s shot deflected off Latvia's captain, Antonijs Cernomordijs, for England's third. A bright spot earlier came with Reece James' stunning 25-yard free-kick, his first international goal in his first start for England since 2022.

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‎Despite the scoreline, Tuchel's Latvia faced a mixed performance. It’s never easy for England when tasked with breaking down an ultra-defensive setup. Early on, England lacked tempo, with too many touches slowing their attack. There were moments of predictability in possession, especially in the first half and parts of the second half, leaving the match feeling somewhat underwhelming.

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‎Jude Bellingham, despite his solid play, had a controversial moment when he was fortunate to escape a second yellow card after a rash challenge. Tuchel’s tactics have been evident, but they have yet to produce a spectacular outcome. After a 2-0 victory against Albania on Friday, Tuchel was tasked with steering the team through a similarly straightforward match against Latvia, but the performance raised questions about the execution of his vision.

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‎Latvia, having recently defeated Andorra 1-0, started the match level on points with England at the top of Group K. However, inside Wembley, few regarded Latvia as a genuine challenge. Tuchel's changes to the lineup, notably giving Morgan Rogers his full debut in a No. 10 role alongside Bellingham, showed his intent to innovate. The tactical setup involved a fluid midfield, but Latvia's deep defensive block tested England’s creativity.

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‎As expected, the first half was a scrappy affair. England struggled to break down Latvia’s 5-4-1 formation, with the ball moving too slowly for comfort. But the breakthrough came in the form of James’ brilliant free-kick. Although he had a shaky start to the match—misjudging crosses and committing fouls—his technique on the set-piece was flawless, finding the top corner with precision.

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‎A scare came early on when Jordan Pickford’s rash decision to race off his line caused confusion, and Latvia almost capitalized on an open goal. However, it was a rare opportunity in a game largely dominated by England. Marcus Rashford was one of the few who stood out in attack, persistently trying to take on defenders, though his final product lacked. Jarrod Bowen was also unlucky not to earn a penalty after a challenge by goalkeeper Krisjanis Zviedris, which VAR controversially overturned.

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‎In the second half, Bellingham's frustration boiled over, receiving a booking before he could have seen a second yellow after a reckless challenge. But the England captain, Harry Kane, stepped up midway through the second half, scoring England's second goal. Declan Rice's run and pass to Rogers allowed Kane to finish neatly at the far post. England could have added more, with Rogers coming close on several occasions, but the scoreline remained at 3-0.

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‎While the Wembley crowd—large for a Monday night fixture—had been expecting more than just a straightforward win, the performance wasn’t without its flaws. Tuchel will surely reflect on the tactical aspects of the game, while England's workmanlike victory over Latvia offered a glimpse of what’s to come under his leadership. With qualifiers ahead, the team needs to refine their game and add more flair to their performances.