England Secure Seventh Straight World Cup Qualifier Win Against Serbia
England’s remarkable run in World Cup qualifying continued on Thursday night as they defeated Serbia 2-0 at Wembley, extending their perfect record to seven wins from seven matches. Goals from Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze ensured that the visitors were denied any chance of finishing as runners-up in Group K, and England’s defensive record remained unblemished with a seventh consecutive clean sheet.
Jude Bellingham, who has been sidelined in recent internationals due to a shoulder injury, was named on the bench for this fixture, while Morgan Rogers took the number 10 role. Despite Bellingham and Phil Foden returning to the squad, Tuchel opted to continue with Rogers in midfield, a decision that paid off as the Aston Villa youngster impressed in a largely controlled first half at a subdued Wembley. Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly made his senior international debut at left-back, while Marcus Rashford led the attack in place of the injured Anthony Gordon. England’s defensive line featured Reece James, Ezri Konsa, and John Stones, with Jordan Pickford maintaining his place in goal.
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The first goal came in the 29th minute, when Saka expertly volleyed in a cross that had looped up from O’Reilly, giving England a deserved lead. Both teams had chances in the ensuing hour, with Serbia growing more assertive as the second half progressed. Tuchel introduced Bellingham, Foden, Eze, and Jordan Henderson from the bench midway through the second half, with Adam Wharton coming on late as the fifth substitution. The impact of the substitutes was evident as England created several promising chances, countering Serbia’s attempts to keep their play-off hopes alive.
The second goal arrived in stoppage time, with Foden, operating in an experimental striker role, feeding Eze for a beautifully weighted finish into the far corner. VAR reviewed the build-up for a potential foul by Bellingham, but the goal was allowed to stand, sealing England’s seventh consecutive qualifying victory. Serbia’s defeat, combined with Albania’s win in Andorra, confirmed the Albanians as group runners-up, although Serbia could still theoretically qualify based on Nations League rankings.
England will conclude their Group K campaign on Sunday against Albania, a match with little at stake but an opportunity for Tuchel to further fine-tune his squad ahead of next year’s World Cup. With a goal difference of +20 and no goals conceded in seven games, England’s perfect qualifying run has not only showcased their attacking depth but also highlighted their defensive solidity, leaving fans confident as the team prepares for the global stage.
The energy from England’s bench, the tactical flexibility displayed by Tuchel, and the seamless integration of both young debutants and returning stars underline a squad brimming with talent and ambition. This performance reaffirmed England’s credentials as one of the strongest sides in European qualifying, combining youthful exuberance with experienced leadership on the path to the 2026 World Cup.
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