Inglaterra maintained their 100 percent record in their Copa del Mundo qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Andorra on Saturday, but the uninspiring display did little to dissuade the doubters about Thomas Tuchel’s ability to get the best out of the team.
The Three Lions monopolised the ball and territory but Andorra proved extremely stubborn opponents as the visitors sat around their area and blocked the majority of England’s probing passes and efforts from inside the area, such as when Max Llovera slid in to block Eberechi Eze’s goal-bound strike.
It was fitting, then, that England took the lead via an own goal as Reece James slipped the ball to Noni Madueke, whose cross was glanced in by defender Christian Garcia.
That should have opened the floodgates, but Andorra continued to stifle England, who were also frustrated by their own wasteful finishing. In the second half, Marcus Rashford curled over the bar after Eze had a shot saved before the otherwise excellent debutant, Elliot Anderson, fired too close to goalkeeper Iker Alvarez .
England’s pressure finally made a difference and they scored again thanks to another inviting cross as a delicious delivery from James found Declan Rice to head home. But once again, Tuchel’s side failed to build on the momentum and had to settle for an unflattering result against a very low-level opponent, albeit a determined one.
BALLGM rates the England players from Villa Park…
England maintained their 100 percent record in their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Andorra on Saturday, but the uninspiring display did little to dissuade the doubters about Thomas Tuchel’s ability to get the best out of the team.
The Three Lions monopolised the ball and territory but Andorra proved extremely stubborn opponents as the visitors sat around their area and blocked the majority of England’s probing passes and efforts from inside the area, such as when Max Llovera slid in to block Eberechi Eze’s goal-bound strike.
It was fitting, then, that England took the lead via an own goal as Reece James slipped the ball to Noni Madueke, whose cross was glanced in by defender Christian Garcia.
That should have opened the floodgates, but Andorra continued to stifle England, who were also frustrated by their own wasteful finishing. In the second half, Marcus Rashford curled over the bar after Eze had a shot saved before the otherwise excellent debutant, Elliot Anderson, fired too close to goalkeeper Iker Alvarez .
England’s pressure finally made a difference and they scored again thanks to another inviting cross as a delicious delivery from James found Declan Rice to head home. But once again, Tuchel’s side failed to build on the momentum and had to settle for an unflattering result against a very low-level opponent, albeit a determined one.
BALLGM rates the England players from Villa Park…
Jordán Pickford (6/10):
An easy afternoon’s work. Didn’t have to make any saves and barely even touched the ball with his feet.
Reece James (8/10):
A constant thorn in Andorra’s side, doing most of the probing in the first half and rounding off his consistent display with a sumptuous cross for Rice.
Marc Guehi (7/10):
Showed no signs of being impacted by missing out on his move to Liverpool as he delivered a very comfortable performance.
Dan Burn (6/10):
Another player who was able to stroll through the game without breaking stride.
Myles Lewis-Skelley (6/10):
Showed some flashes in either half, but he was upstaged by James on the opposite flank.
Eberechi Eze (7/10):
The type of exciting display we have come to expect from the Arsenal midfielder, who was behind the team’s best spells of play in either half.
Elliot Anderson (8/10):
A hugely impressive debut, picking up where he left off during England’s victorious run at the Under-21 Euros. Took the ball from defence into the final third with speed and class as he staked his claim to be Rice’s long-term partner. It was just a shame he failed to score from a simple chance. Then again, you can’t have it all.
Declan Rice (7/10):
Anderson gave him a licence to roam forward and he gladly took it. Played his part in several promising attacks before making sure of the win with a simple header.
Noni Madueke (7/10):
Did a decent job stepping in for his new club-mate Saka, combining well with James and helping find the breakthrough, albeit with the help of a nightmare own goal from Garcia. Skied a Rashford cut-back over the bar, but the move was flagged offside anyway.
Harry Kane (6/10):
Saw little of the ball and only had one effort on goal of note, although the team’s slow play was more to blame for that than he was.
Marcus Rashford (4/10):
A disappointing return to Villa Park, where he did not justify his questionable call-up given his slow start at Barcelona. Misplaced a few passes with sloppy play and missed a big chance to score.
Tino Livramento (6/10):
Not as ambitious in attack as James, but didn’t do much wrong.
Morgan Rogers (6/10):
Injected some extra pace into the attack and created a decent chance for Gordon.
Anthony Gordon (5/10):
Couldn’t properly connect with his one chance.
Ezri Konsa (6/10):
Enjoyed an easy 12 minutes’ work after replacing Guehi.
Morgan Gibbs-White (6/10):
Wanted to get in on the scoring act but could only strike straight at Alvarez.
Thomas Tuchel (5/10):
Another hugely underwhelming display against Andorra which does not bode well when his side come up against teams with similar tactics but more quality at the World Cup.
