England made history in Tirana, becoming the first European nation to win at least six World Cup qualifiers in a single campaign without conceding a single goal, after a steady 2-0 victory over playoff-bound Albania. The win came just days after England eliminated Serbia from playoff contention with another commanding 2-0 result earlier last week.
Before kickoff, Softfootball understands that captain Harry Kane confirmed England’s new leadership group under Thomas Tuchel a structure designed to strengthen the team’s maturity and accountability. The group includes Kane himself, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Marc Guéhi, forming the core of England’s evolving identity.
Tuchel made seven changes from the side that beat Serbia, but England’s dominance remained untouched. Declan Rice, one of the few retained starters set the early tempo with a crisp touch and a powerful drive that forced Thomas Strakosha into action within four minutes. Despite England holding possession early on, clear chances were scarce until Elseid Hysaj tested Dean Henderson with a speculative effort at the other end.
Albania, who had conceded just three goals across their previous seven qualifiers, held firm. But England started to carve openings when Jude Bellingham released Jarrod Bowen down the right, only for Strakosha to get fingertips to the winger’s driven strike. From the resulting corner, Jarell Quansah headed straight at the goalkeeper as England pushed for control.
England’s perfect defensive record should have fallen early in the second half. Qazim Laçi’s flick was simple enough for Henderson, but Arbër Hoxha’s thunderous long-range effort forced a brilliant save from the Crystal Palace shot-stopper. When Hoxha went one-on-one moments later, Albania had their golden chance, but he fired straight at Henderson.
Surviving that scare, England regained their attacking rhythm. Eberechi Eze tested Strakosha from a tight angle, Bellingham saw a snap-shot clip the roof of the net, and Bukayo Saka squandered two huge openings as pressure built but the score remained 0-0 entering the final quarter, the first time England had reached that stage goalless in this qualifying run.
The breakthrough finally came in the 74th minute when Saka’s corner deflected off an Albanian head and fell perfectly for Harry Kane to poke home. England then sealed the points seven minutes from time, as Marcus Rashford delivered a superb cross that Kane headed in for his eighth goal of Group K.
After the game, England via its official X handle shared a post match reaction as the team headed to the dressing room full of confidence after not conceding a single goal throughout the qualifying campaign. Watch video below;
England now travel to North America on their first-ever run of 11 straight competitive victories, still yet to concede in World Cup qualifying. Albania, meanwhile, head into the playoffs off the back of their first defeat in nine matches.
