England were booed off at half-time of their World Cup qualifier against Andorra, after a goalless opening 45 minutes against the European minnows. Thomas Tuchel’s men had won their opening two matches of qualification against Albania and Latvia, but the German coach was left wanting more after his side’s dismal showing in the first half.
Andorra, who are ranked 173rd in the world, restricted the Three Lions to just four shots on target in the first half. Noni Madueke was England’s brightest spark, with the Chelsea winger seeing a stinging strike saved by Andorra goalkeeper Iker Alvarez, while big-hitters like Harry Kane, Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham struggled to make an impact.
Reacting to the opening half on X, @ltfcocr__ wrote: “This has been pathetic from England. same old same old.”
@lukeherbert wasn’t happy with the manager’s tactics, adding: “This set up Tuchel has selected for England is pathetic. The whole balance of the team is awful.”
@lukestanley03 said: “This England game is one of the worst I’ve ever watched.”
@MufcWonItAll2 wrote: “It doesn’t matter who the Manager of England is or what players are playing. England are just so boring to watch.”
Speaking as part of the ITV punditry team, Roy Keane said: “We mentioned before the games wide players looking to go past people, maybe some more one-twos. Lacked a bit of quality in the final third, credit to Andorra, they’ve sat in and played with a bit of fight.”
Former Lionesses international Karen Carney added: “I think it’s been far too easy. [Harry] Kane has been walking around, it makes it very easy for the opposition to bank up and have a rest. I’ve been a little disappointed with England so far.”
Following the goalless first half, England needed just four minutes in the second period to break the deadlock, with Madueke picking out Kane at the back post.
After an uninspiring first set of matches in charge, Tuchel had pleaded for patience heading into the post-season international break. Addressing the media ahead of the Andorra match, he said: “It will be on us to get going. It is on us to keep the tempo high, it is on us to bring the energy to the pitch.
“It is on us to bring the attacking energy to the pitch and to do this in a relentless way. The players come from a long and tiring season and then again accepting the role to be responsible for the majority of the game. It can be demanding, but at the same time it is what I feel from the group – they are happy to be here, happy to show.”