England booked their spot at the 2026 World Cup with a comfortable 5-0 win over Latvia in Riga. A fine finish from Anthony Gordon and a clinical brace from captain Harry Kane put the Three Lions 3-0 up and in complete control at half-time.
And the visitors got the better of Krisjanis Zviedris two more times – through an Maksims Tonisevs own goal and an Eberechi Eze curler – in the second half to secure another emphatic win for Thomas Tuchel’s side. The rout means the German head coach will take a 26-man group to the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer with dreams of bringing football home for the first time since 1966. Express Sport rates and slates the England players after another victory…
England player ratings vs Latvia
Jordan Pickford – 7
Improved his clean sheet streak to a record-extending nine in a row on a night where he was only rarely troubled. Only had one save to make.
Djed Spence – 7
Back at right-back for this one and looked just as comfortable as he did on the left against Wales. His excellent cross forced the England fourth goal.
John Stones – 7
Another classy performance from a classy defender. He used the ball really well. It was his pass over the top that found Gordon before he scored.
Ezri Konsa – 7
Well-positioned to thwart one Latvia counter-attack in the first half and produced a magnificent recovery tackle to stifle another in the second. A dependable display. Booked.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6
End product could have been better at times but enjoyed getting forward. Was on the receiving end of a telling-off from Tuchel in the first half after being caught out of position.
Declan Rice – 6
Some wicked set-piece deliveries and one corner almost found its way straight into the net.
Elliot Anderson – 7
By far the most touches of any England starter and again crucial to Tuchel’s men completely dominating. Swiped several shots off target when he might have done better but otherwise very impressive.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Helped win the ball back for Kane’s goal and gets the assist for it. Not his absolute best given how many bodies Latvia put around him but still such a dangerous player when the space was there for him.
Morgan Rogers – 6
Didn’t have much space to work in centrally so his impact was limited. Still might have had an assist had Anderson done better with one opportunity.
Anthony Gordon – 8
Followed up on his lively showing against Wales with another threatening display. Good ball for an early Kane effort which he missed and then a brilliant finish on 26 minutes as he cut inside to find the far corner for his second ever England goal.
Harry Kane – 8
Just elite. After side-footing an early chance wide, produced a great left-footed finish for his 75th England goal, whipping the ball beyond Zviedris into the corner. Rattled in a 76th from the penalty spot shortly after seeing a header well saved. Didn’t really get chance to score a third bar a late free-kick he fired well over.
Substitutes
Jordan Henderson (Rice 60) – 6
Helped keep the foot on the gas.
Eberechi Eze (Rogers 60) – 7
Forced a save with a low shot soon after coming on then later curled into the bottom corner after cutting inside.
Jarrod Bowen (Saka 60) – 7
Won possession and supplied a great through ball for Eze to score.
Marcus Rashford (Gordon 71) – 6
Losing the left-wing battle to Anthony Gordon right now.
Dan Burn (Stones 71) – 6
Solid after coming on.