England faced Andorra in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona, securing a narrow 1-0 victory. While the win maintains England's perfect record in Group K, the performance was far from convincing, drawing criticism and jeers from some fans.
Harry Kane's second-half goal, his 72nd international strike, proved to be the difference between the two sides. The goal came in the 50th minute when Noni Madueke, who was a bright spark for England, delivered a cross that Kane converted after his initial effort was saved. Despite the victory, the overall display lacked the quality and dynamism expected of a team of England's caliber against a nation ranked 173rd in the world.
England dominated possession and created several opportunities, particularly in the first half, with Jude Bellingham and Madueke testing Andorra's goalkeeper, Iker Alvarez. However, they struggled to break down a resolute Andorran defense. Alvarez proved to be a difficult barrier, denying Kane early in the game and later producing a brilliant save to keep out Eberechi Eze's header.
Manager Thomas Tuchel expressed his dissatisfaction with the team's performance, stating that he expected more. He pointed to a lack of urgency, quality, and energy, suggesting that several players failed to reach their usual standards. Tuchel specifically mentioned the wingers, Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden, saying they were not as impactful as they usually are for their clubs and that the team lacked runs off the ball, passing, dribbling, and aggression towards goal. He did, however, praise Madueke as one of the few players who put in a significant effort.
Kane echoed Tuchel's sentiments, admitting that England could have played better. He acknowledged that it wasn't a memorable performance but emphasized the importance of learning from the experience. Kane also noted the hot conditions in Barcelona, which could be similar to those expected at the World Cup, and suggested that the team would analyze the game to improve. He felt England weren't good enough on the ball, lacking sufficient runs and forward passes.
The match took place amidst a busy schedule for many of the England players, with some set to participate in the Club World Cup. This congested calendar and the fatigue resulting from a long club season may have contributed to the lackluster performance.
Despite the underwhelming nature of the win, England secured three valuable points and maintained their position at the top of Group K. They have won all three of their qualifying matches under Tuchel. However, the performance has raised concerns about the team's ability to perform consistently and effectively against weaker opposition. The focus now shifts to the upcoming friendly against Senegal, where England will look to improve their performance and address the issues highlighted by Tuchel and Kane.
