On a rain-soaked Thursday night at Wembley, England defeated Serbia 2-0 in their penultimate World Cup qualifier, extending their flawless campaign to seven wins from seven. Goals from Bukayo Saka (28′) and substitute Eberechi Eze (90′) sealed the victory, ensuring Thomas Tuchel’s side remain untouchable at the top of Group K, while extinguishing the last hope Serbia had of qualifying for the main tournament next year.
Teams and Absentees
England, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, lined up in a 4-2-3-1 under Thomas Tuchel.
Starting XI: Jordan Pickford; Reece James, John Stones, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly (debut); Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson; Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers, Marcus Rashford; Harry Kane (captain).
Bench Impact: Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, and Eberechi Eze were introduced in the second half, adding creativity and energy.
Notable Absentees: Marc Guéhi (foot injury), Anthony Gordon, Nick Pope, and Noni Madueke missed out, while Ollie Watkins and Jack Grealish remained on the fringes.
Serbia, under new coach Veljko Paunović, opted for a 4-2-3-1:
Starting XI: Predrag Rajković; Aleksa Terzić, Strahinja Pavlović, Nikola Milenković, Ognjen Mimović; Nemanja Gudelj, Saša Lukić; Filip Kostić (captain), Ivan Ilić, Andrija Živković; Dušan Vlahović.
Key Absence: Aleksandar Mitrović, Serbia’s all-time top scorer, was unavailable, leaving Vlahović and Luka Jović to shoulder the attacking burden.
Match Recap: From Frustration to Flourish
England began sluggishly, struggling to replicate the fluidity of their 5-0 demolition of Serbia in Belgrade two months earlier. Serbia pressed aggressively, forcing early errors and limiting space for Kane and Rashford. The first real chance fell to Rashford in the 25th minute, his low drive parried by Rajković. Moments later, the breakthrough arrived:
- 28′ Goal – Bukayo Saka: After Rajković punched clear a free-kick, debutant Nico O’Reilly’s shot was blocked and looped up. Saka reacted instinctively, cushioning a volley into the far corner for 1-0.
England grew in confidence, with Kane heading wide and Rogers glancing a header off target before halftime. Serbia threatened sporadically—Kostić’s fierce strike in the 45th minute tested Pickford—but lacked cutting edge.
The second half saw Tuchel tweak the system, introducing Bellingham and Foden to inject tempo. England dominated possession (63%) and created half-chances through Rashford and Kane, yet Serbia remained stubborn. Their best spell came around the 85th minute, when Vlahović forced a save and Kostić fired narrowly wide.
The contest was settled moments from time:
- 90′ Goal – Eberechi Eze: Foden slipped a clever pass into the box, and Eze, calm under pressure, slotted past Rajković to make it 2-0, sparking celebrations among the 74,000-strong Wembley crowd.
Saka’s Consistency and Class
Bukayo Saka answered Tuchel’s call for more goals with a strike of supreme technique. His cushioned volley was the game’s standout moment and underlined his evolution from creator to finisher. With 14 international goals at just 24, Saka is now indispensable for England’s attacking balance.
Eze Stakes His Claim
Introduced late, Eberechi Eze made an instant impact. His composure for the second goal and ability to glide past markers offer Tuchel a wildcard option for the World Cup squad. In a team brimming with midfield talent, Eze’s versatility could be decisive.
Serbia’s Missed Opportunity
For Serbia, this was a night of what-ifs. Without Mitrović, their attack lacked bite. Vlahović worked tirelessly but was isolated, while Kostić’s late surge came too late. Paunović’s side remains third in Group K, having lost their last chance to keep in the race for a playoff spot after Albania beat Andorra to increase the gap to four points, with a single round remaining.
Tuchel’s Tactical Pragmatism
Tuchel’s England were far from vintage, but his in-game adjustments—dropping Kane deeper, pushing Rice forward, and introducing Foden—tilted the balance. The German’s emphasis on structure over star power is evident: England have scored 20 goals and conceded none in qualifying, a testament to defensive solidity and controlled aggression.
Nico O’Reilly’s Debut
The Manchester City youngster impressed at left-back, showing composure and energy. His blocked shot led to Saka’s opener, and his defensive positioning was assured. With Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell battling injuries, O’Reilly’s emergence adds depth to a critical position.
What This Means
England sit atop Group K with 21 points from seven games, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Serbia, on 10 points, face a tense battle with Albania for second place and a playoff spot.
Next fixtures:
- England travel to Tirana to face Albania on Nov 16.
- Serbia host Latvia the same day, hoping to end an unsuccessful campaign on a high and embark on a new era under Paunović.
