England thrashed Serbia 5-0, led by Noni Madueke, securing a dominant World Cup qualifier victory. Goals from Kane, Konsa, Guéhi, and Rashford sealed the win, solidifying England’s top spot in their group and marking a transformative moment for coach Thomas Tuchel’s tenure.
Belgrade witnessed a transformative night for Thomas Tuchel's England as they decimated Serbia, securing their place at the World Cup and silencing early doubters. The resounding victory, fueled by a stellar performance from Noni Madueke, marked a turning point for Tuchel's tenure, erasing the lingering grumbles and establishing England as a dominant force in their qualifying group.
From the opening whistle, England asserted their superiority, leaving Serbia in disarray. The match unfolded against a backdrop of political unrest in Serbia, with anti-government chants echoing through the stadium, adding to the pressure on manager Dragan Stojkovic. His future now hangs precariously after such a humbling defeat.
Serbia's lackluster performance offered little resistance, culminating in Nikola Milenkovic's late red card for a desperate foul on Harry Kane. The scoreline could have been even more emphatic, highlighting England's ruthless efficiency and tactical superiority.
The dynamic duo of Morgan Rogers and Noni Madueke stole the show, epitomizing England's attacking prowess. Rogers' exquisite assist for Madueke's goal, a sublime flick that carved through the Serbian defense, showcased their seamless connection. Kane continued his prolific form with his 74th international goal, while defenders Ezri Konsa and Marc Guéhi celebrated their first international goals, adding to the comprehensive victory. Marcus Rashford's late penalty sealed the emphatic win, underscoring England's depth and firepower.
England's dominant performance extended their perfect qualifying record under Tuchel, solidifying their position as frontrunners. Their unblemished defensive record further emphasizes their all-round strength, making their qualification feel like a formality.
Despite the intimidating atmosphere of the Rajko Mitic Stadium, England's players remained composed and focused. The notorious tunnel, adorned with graffiti and patrolled by riot police, served as a stark reminder of the challenge ahead. However, England rose to the occasion, silencing the boisterous home crowd with their clinical performance.
Tuchel's tactical approach paid dividends, catching Stojkovic off guard with a more attacking setup than anticipated. Serbia's defensive 5-4-1 formation proved ineffective against England's fluid movement and incisive passing. The home fans quickly turned on Stojkovic, chanting for his dismissal as England ran riot.
The match was marred by instances of disruptive behavior from the Serbian fans, including chants referencing the disputed territory of Kosovo, whistles imitating the referee, and a laser shone in the eyes of England's players. However, these distractions failed to derail England's focus, demonstrating their mental fortitude and professionalism.
England's quality shone through, with their players showcasing their superior skills and experience. The gulf in class was evident, with only a handful of Serbian players regularly featuring in top European leagues. England seized control early on, dictating the tempo and imposing their will on the game.
The understanding between Rogers and Anthony Gordon on the wings caused constant problems for the Serbian defense. Rogers' vision and Gordon's direct running stretched the game, creating space for Kane and Madueke to exploit. Rice's early shot tested Petrovic, while Gordon's repeated efforts kept the goalkeeper on his toes. The link-up play between Rogers and Madueke almost resulted in another goal for Kane, highlighting their growing understanding.
Serbia's unusual decision to forego a pre-match warm-up on the pitch only added to the sense of unease surrounding their preparations. Their eventual entrance was met with a cacophony of noise, but England refused to be intimidated. The anthems were met with jeers from both sets of supporters, a reflection of the intense rivalry between the two nations.
England remained focused and disciplined after the break, capitalizing on Serbia's vulnerability. Rice's shot, narrowly missing the target, served as a warning before the third goal arrived. Gordon's powerful shot was parried by Petrovic, but Guéhi reacted swiftly to set up Konsa for a simple finish at the far post.
The goal triggered further anti-Stojkovic chants from the Serbian fans, who had grown increasingly disillusioned with his leadership. The atmosphere turned toxic as anti-government sentiments spilled over into the stands, culminating in a fight that required the intervention of riot police.
Milenkovic's desperate lunge on Kane resulted in a deserved red card, further compounding Serbia's misery. In the closing stages, Tuchel handed Djed Spence his debut, while Guéhi converted from a Rice cross and Rashford scored a penalty after Erakovic fouled Watkins.
England's comprehensive victory was a testament to their quality, tactical discipline, and mental strength. Tuchel's reign has begun in spectacular fashion, with England firmly on track for World Cup qualification and playing with a swagger and confidence that has been missing for too long.