England won all qualifying rounds, Tuchel overcame the storm
With eight wins, 22 goals scored and none conceded, Thomas Tuchel's England became the first European team to qualify for North America, setting up an 11-game winning streak. The turning point came with a 5-0 win over Serbia after a shock defeat to Senegal.
The 5-0 win in Serbia was the moment Thomas Tuchel’s England team put all the doubters to bed and pushed them behind them. After a shock friendly against Senegal and a hard-fought 1-0 win over Andorra, it was the night the Three Lions switched into contender mode, opening the door to North America.
Turning point in Serbia 5-0: convincing response
Faced with the biggest challenge in the group, England not only won, they dominated the game and left the field with a score of 5-0. According to the source data, this was England's biggest away win against a country in the FIFA top 50 since 1992. Just one game, the skepticism subsided, the confidence returned.
The winning streak was extended immediately after with a 5-0 victory over Latvia to officially secure the ticket. The final match against Albania was not explosive, but enough to close a journey built on a solid foundation.
A skeptical start: Henderson, Walker and the Senegal shock
Tuchel took over from Gareth Southgate with the hope of ending a 60-year wait. But criticism came early, when he called up Jordan Henderson – a decision that was seen as favoring a familiar player. Although Tuchel defended Henderson, calling him “the glue”, the image of the past overshadowed the new dynasty.
Early wins against Albania and Latvia were not convincing enough. Andorra became the pinnacle of disappointment: a star-studded team needed Harry Kane to win 1-0. Worse, the Three Lions suffered a historic defeat against Senegal in a friendly – the first time an England men’s team had lost to an African country. The decision to trust a down and out Kyle Walker, who made direct errors, coupled with his harsh reaction to being questioned, brought the pressure to its highest level.
The numbers speak for themselves: 8 matches, 22 goals, 0 conceded
Behind the storm is a cold scoreboard: eight wins from eight in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, scoring 22 goals and conceding none. England became the first European team to qualify for North America, and set a record of 11 consecutive victories in official matches.
That series of numbers is not only beautiful, it reflects a collective that knows how to control risks, take advantage of moments and maintain performance standards at the team level.
Harry Kane's playing background and role
The Three Lions’ foundations are clearly defined: an “unbreakable” defence, a “relentless” midfield, and up front, an “unstoppable” Harry Kane. According to sources, Kane has surpassed Pele in international goals – a milestone that symbolises the captain’s finishing ability and influence.
On a collective level, Tuchel has built a team that is resilient, knows how to endure difficult times, and then explode at the right time. The important thing is to transform pressure into motivation in key matches, typically the away trip to Serbia.
Immediate impact: early access to North America and contender status
Two consecutive 5-0 wins, against Serbia and Latvia, put England on pace to become the first European team to book a place in North America. A journey that began with controversy, passed through historic defeat, ended with a winning streak and record milestones – enough to position the Three Lions as a formidable opponent in the race for the gold medal.
Not every performance has been flawless, but structure and discipline have kept England at a high level of competition. At international level, that is the difference between a good team and a genuine contender.
