'Will be crucial' - Arsenal and Tottenham stars impress in 'special' international rout
Arsenal and Tottenham stars were present in England’s comfortable win over Latvia.
Arsenal and Tottenham stars were involved in England’s comfortable win over Latvia to wrap up World Cup qualification on Tuesday night. The Three Lions became uncatachable for second-placed Albania with a 5-0 away win with Anthony Gordon scoring the opener, then Harry scored a rapid brace and Eberechi Eze scored the last after an own goal.
It was a celebratory night for the Three Lions, who can now start preparing for a trip to the US and/or Mexico and Canada with two qualifiers still remaining. That will give Tuchel the luxury of calling up some younger or fringe players to get a full look at his squad before a couple of pre-World Cup friendlies in March.
In this win, Tottenham star Djed Spence and Arsenal men Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka all started.
Spence got a 7/10 from BBC Sport, with the report reading: “Has taken to international football like a duck to water. Sterner tests lie ahead, of course, but a good start to his England career.”
Rice’s also got a 7/10, with the report adding: “Enjoying his nuumber eight role. The mainstay of England's midfield is showing his attacking abilities now. Emerging us a genuine all-round midfielder.”
Saka had the best rating of them all with a 7.5/10, with the report reasoning: “Added an assist to his excellent goal against Wales last Thursday. Will be crucial to England's chances next summer.”
Eberechi Eze went on to come off the bench in the 60th minute, scoring in the 86th minute, while West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen came off the bench in 61st minute.
Tuchel on England’s win
England boss Thomas Tuchel told 5Live: “It is never easy, even if it looks easy. We put a lot of work in. They played with a lot of short passes, and we expected more long balls, but the reaction was good. Another excellent team performance. It is a special moment – it rarely comes that you qualify for a World Cup.
"The mood is very good and it is all smiles and music. It is a moment to enjoy. It means a lot and it is different. You cannot create it artificially. It is beautiful to see what it means to the players. The way we won, first of all, gives us a lot of satisfaction. Six wins and six clean sheets. We are there. It is a special evening. You can feel it in the staff and the players."
He added on his team’s style of play: “We need to adapt to the conditions. It is different if you play at 40 degrees in the afternoon or 8 degrees in the rain. It will come naturally as you cannot sprint the same amount.
"The players buy into it [the style of play]. We play a running game and this reflects the English football culture. We will adapt it when we need to adapt it. It is 18 points and six clean sheets, so it is a special moment. If it looks easy, it is never easy in football. The way we did it, it is nice to see because they play with a lot of effort. They don't just rely on their talent, and we work hard for their goals."