England scraped a narrow 1-0 victory against Andorra in their World Cup qualifier, with Harry Kane's second-half goal proving the difference in an underwhelming performance. The Three Lions, managed by Thomas Tuchel, struggled to break down a stubborn Andorran defense, ranked 173rd in the world, at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona on Saturday, June 7, 2025.
England dominated possession, but their play lacked urgency and quality, failing to create clear-cut chances for much of the match. Several players appeared fatigued after a long club season, contributing to the sluggish performance. Tuchel himself voiced his dissatisfaction, citing a lack of urgency, quality, and energy from his team. He singled out Noni Madueke as one of the few players who consistently put in the effort.
The breakthrough finally came in the 50th minute when Madueke, a bright spark on the wing, latched onto a deflection and delivered a cross that Kane poked home for his 72nd international goal. This strike moved Kane level with Frank Lampard and Sir Bobby Charlton with 106 caps for England. Despite the goal, England failed to build on their lead and struggled to create further opportunities. Gordon missed a late chance to extend the lead, failing to convert a Madueke cut-back.
Kane acknowledged the team's subpar performance, admitting, "For sure we can play better, it wasn't our greatest performance. I don't think people will remember this one, but we can learn from it." He attributed the lackluster display to the timing of the June camp, with players coming off the back of long seasons and a hectic schedule that will see several players head to the Club World Cup. Kane also pointed out the hot conditions and dry pitch as contributing factors.
Despite the criticism, Kane emphasized the importance of securing the three points in the World Cup qualifying campaign. "We take the three points and move on," he stated. He also praised Madueke's contribution, saying, "I think he was a constant threat today, obviously got the assist for the goal as well. We need more of that. We have amazing players, we need players who are not afraid to go one v one and if they lose the ball, we will get it again and go again. He played really well.”
England's victory keeps them top of Group K with a perfect record of three wins from three matches, without conceding a goal. However, the performance raised concerns about the team's form and ability to break down defensively resolute opponents. Tuchel will be hoping for a much-improved display in their upcoming friendly against Senegal, as they look to fine-tune their preparations for next year's World Cup. The England squad will return to St. George's Park to prepare for the friendly against Senegal at the City Ground in Nottingham.
