Private Blog Network – Harry Kane scored the only goal as England narrowly beat Andorra 1-0 in their 2026 World Cup qualifying match. Despite dominating possession and creating multiple chances, England struggled to break down a disciplined Andorran defense ranked 173rd in the world. Manager Thomas Tuchel had prepared fans for a tough contest, warning patience would be needed. The Three Lions faced jeers from supporters after a goalless first half, struggling to convert their dominance into clear scoring opportunities. Kane’s breakthrough came five minutes into the second half when he tapped in a low cross from Noni Madueke after his initial shot was saved. This goal continued England’s unbeaten start in the qualifiers, keeping them top of Group K with nine points from three games.
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England’s first half dominated by possession but lacked cutting edge
England controlled 82.9% of possession in the first half and took ten shots, but they struggled to test Andorra’s goalkeeper, Iker Alvarez. The opposition’s compact and well-organized defensive setup frustrated the hosts, limiting clear chances. Key attackers Jude Bellingham and Madueke were forced into speculative long-range attempts, which Alvarez easily saved. Tuchel’s plan to deploy Curtis Jones at right-back and Reece James at left-back aimed to leverage England’s dominance of the ball but failed to create significant breakthroughs. The home fans voiced their frustration as England’s attack lacked precision and penetration, leaving the team to regroup at halftime without a goal to show for their efforts.
Tactical adjustments and Kane’s goal shift momentum in second half
After the break, England increased their efforts to break through Andorra’s defense. Curtis Jones found Kane inside the box early in the second half. Kane’s initial shot hit the goalkeeper, but Madueke quickly reacted and delivered a low cross that Kane tapped in from close range. Although England took the lead, they failed to extend their advantage. Substitute Eberechi Eze nearly scored with a header, but Alvarez tipped it over the bar. England created few other clear scoring chances. This narrow victory exposed England’s ongoing difficulties against defensive teams during the qualifiers and raised questions about how Tuchel can better deploy his attacking players in future matches.
Tuchel’s squad management and training focus during international camp
Tuchel used the week-long training camp in Barcelona to foster team unity amid limited time with his players. He has conducted only eight training sessions across his first two camps in charge, focusing on learning more about his squad’s strengths and weaknesses. Jordan Henderson earned his first start since November 2023, providing Tuchel with more options in midfield. The German coach emphasized the importance of patience and realistic expectations for this fixture but will be looking to improve England’s performance ahead of tougher opponents. The upcoming friendly against Senegal offers another opportunity to test tactical approaches and sharpen attacking cohesion before critical qualifiers.
England look ahead to Senegal friendly and further qualifiers
Despite a frustrating display against Andorra, England remain unbeaten and in strong position in Group K. The team travels to Nottingham Forest’s City Ground to face Senegal in a friendly on Tuesday, where Tuchel hopes to find the right formula to enhance England’s attacking threat. The narrow win has secured vital points but left fans and coaches wanting a more convincing performance. As England prepare for the remainder of the qualification campaign, Tuchel will continue working on unlocking their offensive potential against defensive opponents. The focus remains on booking a place at the 2026 World Cup and building momentum through consistent, effective performances.