England delivered a commanding performance against Serbia, securing a decisive 5-0 away victory in their recent World Cup qualifier. The win, a significant step towards the 2026 World Cup, showcased a dominant display under the guidance of coach Thomas Tuchel.

Harry Kane, continuing his prolific form, opened the scoring with a header from a Declan Rice corner, marking his record-extending 74th goal for England. Shortly after, Noni Madueke doubled the lead, netting his first senior international goal after a well-executed team move.

The second half saw England maintain their control, with Ezri Konsa extending the lead early on. Serbia's woes were compounded when Nikola Milenkovic received a red card for denying Kane a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Marc Guéhi added to Serbia's misery, scoring England's fourth from the resulting free kick. Marcus Rashford then sealed the emphatic victory with a penalty.

This victory marked a turning point in Tuchel's tenure, with several players scoring their first goals for England. "The energy has been higher and the level has been higher," Kane told BBC Radio, adding, "Serbia are a good team, and we made them look average tonight".

The match contrasted sharply with the previous encounter between the two sides at Euro 2024, where England secured a narrow 1-0 win. In that Euro 2024 match, Jude Bellingham's early header proved to be the difference. While England started strong, the second half saw Serbia increase the pressure, making for a nervy finish. England's defense, particularly John Stones and Marc Guéhi, demonstrated resilience in holding off Serbia's attacks. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a crucial save in the 82nd minute to preserve England's lead. Despite not seeing much of the ball, Kane's contribution in holding up play was crucial.

Reflecting on the Euro 2024 match, Serbia defender Nikola Milenković noted, "At the Euros, we did not feel inferior against England. We competed, but unfortunately, the result did not go our way". England coach Thomas Tuchel acknowledged Serbia's talent and the challenging atmosphere of playing in Belgrade.

With this dominant win, England is now seven points clear at the top of Group K and are unbeaten in their last nine away matches in all competitions. They are also unbeaten in 35 World Cup qualifiers. A combination of a win and two draws in their last three group games would be enough for Tuchel's team to qualify for the World Cup. Meanwhile, France and Portugal also secured important steps towards the 2026 World Cup.