Izuchukwu Okosi
England’s head coach, Thomas Tuchel, was left disappointed by the performance of his team Saturday evening on their 2026 World Cup qualifier despite recording a slim 1-0 win.
Harry Kane scored against the team ranked 173 by current FIFA works men’s rankings.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe game was played in Barcelona and was tepid until Kane, who only recently win his first league title – with Bayern Munich – scored in the 50th minute as they top Group K with nine points.
Tuchel was understandably not happy by the jeers of their fans but was critical of his players’ application in the game.
“I was most worried in the last 20 minutes because I did not like the attitude that we ended the game with,” said the German.
“I didn’t like the lack of urgency and it did not match the occasion – it is still a World Cup qualifier. We will let them know [on Sunday] what we want from them.
“I think we lacked the seriousness and the urgency that is needed in a World Cup qualifier.
“I think we played with fire. I didn’t like the attitude in the end. I didn’t like the body language. It was not what the occasion needed.”
England dominated the game with 83 per cent ball possession, but laboured to break down Andorra’s well-organised defence and were mainly restricted to efforts from distance.
The Three Lions will confront Senegal on Tuesday in an international friendly at the Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.
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Kane’s goal was assisted by England international of Nigerian descent, Noni Madueke.
The former PSV forward is said to be on the transfer-out list of players that Chelsea are willing to listen to offers.
The Blues are reportedly holding talks with Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens.
Madueke’s excellent performance on Saturday evening may have been fuelled by the need to do well and either convince the Chelsea owners or audition for possible new employers in the transfer window.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
