England’s recovery from the pain of their World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina has begun. The loss in Atlanta, which extended the so-called years of hurt to six decades, drew heavy criticism of Thomas Tuchel’s defensive tactics, but an extended international break and four Nations League matches gave the head coach a chance to rebuild and rehabilitate. His squad mixed recalled players with new faces, while captain Harry Kane remained the centrepiece.
Kane marked his 125th England appearance by scoring twice in a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic at Wembley on Tuesday, equalling Peter Shilton’s record for caps. At 33, he remains irreplaceable and continues to extend his record as England’s all-time leading scorer. His total of 91 goals is 38 clear of Wayne Rooney, who is second with 53 goals in 120 games. With Kane fit and in his prime, it now seems only a matter of time before he becomes the first player to score 100 goals for England.
Tuchel has also been able to preside over an attacking quartet that can threaten any side. Kane is the spearhead, while Anthony Gordon has moved to another level since joining Barcelona from Newcastle; he scored in Nations League games against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia before being rested at Wembley. On the right, Bukayo Saka has looked rejuvenated after a World Cup hampered by an Achilles injury, scoring twice in Croatia. Behind them, Jude Bellingham, England’s player of the year at 23, remains world class. Cole Palmer’s withdrawal from the squad allowed others to cement their places, with Morgan Gibbs-White cutting short a family holiday to join after initially being excluded. Morgan Rogers augments the front four, while Liverpool’s 18-year-old Rio Ngumoha is seen as an international contender for years.
The midfield offered further encouragement, and a major disappointment. Alex Scott produced an outstanding debut in the 7-0 win in Croatia, slipping seamlessly into England’s midfield with powerful running, a complete range of passing and energetic link play. His emergence showed the riches available even with Arsenal’s Declan Rice, a fixture in the team, absent as his load was managed after injury. Tuchel said Rice remained ‘a fixed point’ but added that other players were impressing and it was an ongoing competition. Scott then suffered a thigh injury that ruled him out against the Czech Republic, a blow for England and Bournemouth, who fear he will be sidelined for two months.
Elliot Anderson, Manchester City’s £116m summer signing from Nottingham Forest, has gone from strength to strength after a good World Cup. Tuchel was also prepared to give Arsenal’s 20-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly his head in central midfield during these Nations League games, while Everton’s James Garner figured and has a big admirer in Tuchel, who called him England’s ‘mini Valverde’ in a tongue-in-cheek reference to Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde. Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo pulled out injured, and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton has been unable to force his way into Tuchel’s plans.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return was another significant development. Tuchel’s apparent mistrust of the Real Madrid right-back’s defensive frailties had been a constant backdrop and culminated in his exclusion from the World Cup squad. After leaving him out of World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in August 2025, Tuchel said Alexander-Arnold had to take the defensive part ‘very, very seriously’ because one error in qualifying or tournament football can be decisive. But Tuchel recalled him for these four Nations League games, and Alexander-Arnold responded with performances that demand continued inclusion. The 27-year-old made his first start under Tuchel – and his first appearance since scoring in the Nations League win in Finland in October 2024 – against the Czech Republic in Prague, providing a world-class cross for Gordon’s opener. He was a potent force again at Wembley, forcing a fine early save from Lukas Hornicek with a 30-yard free-kick and delivering several more dangerous crosses. His defensive deficiencies were not probed, but he showed enough class and creativity to suggest he should not be discarded again.
At left-back, Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall emerged as one of the big winners. He stepped in for three matches after Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly, first choice at the World Cup and for the opening game against Spain, returned to his club with an injury. Hall, who has just signed a new contract tying him to Newcastle until 2031, impressed in both games against the Czech Republic and in the rout of Croatia. His left-flank partnership with former Newcastle team-mate Gordon looked a natural fit, working in tandem to perfection and giving Tuchel serious food for thought. O’Reilly has done nothing wrong, but questions remain over whether he is a natural left-back or a converted midfield player. Hall looked the part in every respect and has made it difficult for Tuchel to leave him out.
If Tuchel can keep his fab four fit and firing, England will be a danger to any opponents.