England’s World Cup qualifying matches kept rolling smooth today, as they eased to a 2-0 victory over Serbia at Wembley Stadium, a result that not only preserved their perfect defensive record in the campaign but also knocked the visitors out of contention. It wasn’t the wild goal fest some fans maybe expected, but it was still a night where England controlled the game.
The team celebrated this win via their official X account.
View the post below:
Given the 5-0 thrashing in the reverse fixture, many inside Wembley probably thought the floodgates would open early. Serbia, though, switched their tactical setup. England looked a bit flat in the opening minutes, with Bukayo Saka, who has been on form for Arsenal, scoring in the club’s last 2-2 draw against Sunderland, as reported by Softfootball, blasting one well off target.
But the Arsenal winger made up for it in style around the half-hour mark. Declan Rice nearly created another moment before halftime with one of those pinpoint set-piece deliveries he somehow pulls off like it’s nothing. Harry Kane, the Bayern player of the month for October, who has been on fire, found himself completely free at the far post, but his header bounced down awkwardly and looped over the bar.
Serbia were forced to push forward earlier than planned. Filip Kostić almost punished England on the counter, setting up Dušan Vlahović, whose clever flick skimmed inches wide. Thomas Tuchel’s batch of second-half substitutions left England a bit messy, and Serbia sniffed an opening. They came closest, meeting a loose ball on the volley but sending it just past the post with Jordan Pickford scrambling.
Nemanja Radonjić, returning to Serbia duty after a long time out, brought energy off the bench and nearly assisted Vlahović with a curling layoff, another chance that flew just over. But whatever hope Serbia had completely evaporated in the final minute. Phil Foden charged forward on the break and slipped the ball to Eberechi Eze, who curled home a gorgeous finish into the far corner to wrap things up.
Not the most thrilling performance England ever delivered, but tidy, controlled, and effective, and the Three Lions move one step closer to another World Cup, still yet to concede.
