Harry Kane Fires England to Narrow Win Over Andorra in World Cup Qualifier

Posted : 07 June 2025

Harry Kane scored the decisive goal as England edged past a resilient Andorra side to maintain their perfect start to the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Despite the visitors dominating possession, they struggled to find a breakthrough in a frustrating first half, prompting jeers from the travelling supporters at the break.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel had anticipated a challenging contest and urged patience beforehand, a warning that proved to be apt given the home side's disciplined defensive setup. The breakthrough eventually came five minutes after the restart when Kane capitalised on a low cross from Noni Madueke, following a deflected effort.

Tuchel experimented with his lineup, deploying Curtis Jones in an unorthodox right-back position and using Reece James on the left to capitalise on England's control of the ball. However, the tactical adjustments failed to yield the fluid attacking display fans had hoped for.

Andorra, ranked 173rd in the world, defended with grit and limited England to long-range efforts. Jude Bellingham and Madueke saw their shots saved by goalkeeper Iker Alvarez, while substitute Eberechi Eze nearly doubled the lead with a header that was tipped over the bar late in the match.

The narrow 1-0 victory keeps England at the top of Group K with nine points from three games, though the underwhelming performance may raise questions for Tuchel. With 82.9% possession and only a single goal to show for it, England’s lack of cutting edge against a defensive opponent highlighted a need for tactical refinement.

Tuchel, who fielded an attacking side, will need to rethink how best to utilise the squad's offensive talent in future matches when faced with similarly compact defences. Their next test comes in a friendly against Senegal at the City Ground in Nottingham.

As England continues to adjust under Tuchel’s leadership, the manager remains focused on fostering team cohesion during limited time with the squad. The match marked Jordan Henderson’s first start since November 2023, as Tuchel seeks to evaluate his options ahead of tougher fixtures.

With just eight training sessions across two international windows, the German coach is still getting acquainted with his players. The upcoming friendly against Senegal offers another opportunity to fine-tune his approach and build momentum toward a more convincing qualification campaign.

Harry Kane Fires England to Narrow Win Over Andorra in World Cup Qualifier

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