Wembley Stadium witnessed a dominant display by England on Thursday night, as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Wales in a friendly encounter. Bukayo Saka's stunning strike capped off a comfortable win for the Three Lions, building on their impressive form from last month's victory in Serbia.
England manager Thomas Tuchel's decision to stick with the squad that finished September's camp strong, leaving out star players like Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, sparked some debate. However, his faith was rewarded as England started the match with high intensity. Morgan Rogers opened the scoring just three minutes into the game, marking his first international goal. The Aston Villa midfielder slotted home after Marc Guehi kept a corner alive, setting the tone for a dominant first half.
Ollie Watkins doubled England's lead in the 11th minute, further cementing their control. Rogers turned provider this time, setting up his Aston Villa teammate for a simple tap-in.
The highlight of the match arrived in the 20th minute when Bukayo Saka scored a breathtaking goal. The Arsenal winger cut in from the right and unleashed a beautiful curling shot into the top corner, leaving Wales goalkeeper Karl Darlow with no chance. This goal was Saka's 13th international goal, making him Arsenal's highest-ever scorer for England. It also marked a historical moment as England scored three goals in the first 20 minutes of a game for the first time in 38 years.
Watkins had a chance to make it 4-0 before halftime, but he collided with the post in the process and had to be replaced at the break. Despite the injury scare, England maintained their dominance.
The second half saw a number of changes from both sides, disrupting the flow of the game. Wales showed some improvement and created a few chances, with Jordan Pickford making smart saves to deny David Brooks and Chris Mepham. However, England remained in control, securing a comfortable victory.
Tuchel will be encouraged by his team's performance, especially the strong attacking display despite missing key players like Harry Kane, Bellingham, and Foden. England has now won their eighth successive meeting with Wales.
Looking ahead, Wales will focus on their crucial World Cup qualifier against Belgium. Meanwhile, England will travel to Latvia, with a potential early qualification for the World Cup on the horizon.
