Harry Kane's second-half goal was enough to secure a 1-0 victory for England against Andorra in their World Cup qualifier in Barcelona on Saturday, but the lackluster performance has sparked concerns for manager Thomas Tuchel. Despite maintaining a perfect record in Group K with three wins from three, the Three Lions' uninspired display against the 173rd-ranked team in the world has raised questions about their prospects for the upcoming World Cup.
Tuchel himself didn't hold back in his assessment of the team's performance. He admitted his dissatisfaction, stating, "I am not happy with the performance, of course. We can admit it is not what we expect from us. We need to do better." He highlighted the team's inability to maintain momentum throughout the match, particularly after a promising first 25 minutes. "We lost completely the momentum [and] couldn't get it back through the whole first half," Tuchel lamented. He further criticized the lack of energy, rhythm, and determination, as well as the diminished quality in passing, finishing, and decision-making.
The England squad was met with boos from their own fans at halftime, reflecting the widespread disappointment with their inability to break down Andorra's defense. While Kane's goal early in the second half averted a potential embarrassment, it did little to mask the underlying issues plaguing the team's performance.
Kane, while acknowledging the importance of the three points, echoed Tuchel's concerns. "We probably weren't good enough on the ball, not enough forward runs, forward passes," he said. "The most important thing is we kept giving it away, it gave them confidence, gave them energy." He also pointed out the challenging conditions, including the hot weather and dry pitch, which could be similar to those expected at the World Cup.
One of the few bright spots in the game was the performance of Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, who provided the assist for Kane's goal and consistently threatened the Andorran defense. Kane himself acknowledged Madueke's impact, stating, "I think he was a constant threat today, obviously got the assist for the goal as well. We need more of that."
Tuchel's experimental lineup, which included Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones in an unfamiliar right-back role and Reece James at left-back, failed to deliver the desired attacking impetus. The team struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Jude Bellingham and Madueke largely restricted to long-range shots.
The narrow victory and underwhelming performance have left Tuchel with much to ponder as he seeks to find the best way to utilize England's attacking talent against defensive-minded opposition. The upcoming friendly against Senegal in Nottingham presents an opportunity to experiment and address the issues exposed in the Andorra match.
The pressure is now on Tuchel to find a solution to England's attacking woes and ensure that the team performs to its full potential in future World Cup qualifiers. The drab display against Andorra serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead and the need for significant improvement if England are to be considered serious contenders for the World Cup title.