England 2-0 Serbia: O'Reilly and Tuchel's left-wing solution
On his England debut, O'Reilly played 90 minutes in a 2-0 win over Serbia in a 2026 World Cup qualifier: passing 91%, five recoveries, no dribbles, 100% aerial duels won.
In the 2-0 win over Serbia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Nico O'Reilly took center stage with a convincing debut at left-back. The 20-year-old, a Manchester City player, not only did his job well but also brought Thomas Tuchel's left-back problem closer to a clear solution: balance, composure and two-way efficiency.
Debut highlights: solid defensively, neat on the ball
O'Reilly was rated 7.6, playing the full 90 minutes with uncommon consistency for a rookie. Defensively, he was not dribbled past once, won 100% of his aerial duels, made 5 recoveries, 1 tackle and 1 clearance. In possession, he completed 91% of his 64 touches, helping the Three Lions maintain control.
O'Reilly's selected stats against Serbia
| Duration of play | 90 minutes |
| Score | 7.6 |
| Touch the ball | 64 |
| Pass accuracy rate | 91% |
| Ball recovery | 5 |
| Tackling | 1 |
| Break the ball | 1 |
| Dribbled past | 0 |
| No win | 100% |
Position switching and tactical intelligence
O'Reilly's journey to left-back has been a story of adaptation. He describes himself as a box-to-box midfielder, growing up with Yaya Toure and David Silva as his role models. His move to the left wing under Pep Guardiola was driven by tactical necessity and injury, honing his spatial awareness and positional discipline.
O'Reilly's rise has been swift: a Premier League debut in April, his first call-up in October and his England debut soon after. Tuchel sees the youngster's versatility and composure, handing him his chance ahead of alternatives like Djed Spence and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Attack Links and Balance
Not only does he cover the left flank, O'Reilly also sets the tempo in the build-up play. His 91% passing rate and 64 touches show he is regularly involved in the build-up phase. His previous partnership with Jeremy Doku at Manchester City suggests he could link up and create chances for the Three Lions, especially when paired with Bukayo Saka up front.
Internal reaction: calm is an asset
Former defender Phil Jones told BBC Radio 5 live: “He's always controlled his emotions really well for a young player... O'Reilly plays hard, but he's calm.” In the international environment, calmness helps to minimise risk and instill confidence in the defensive structure.
Coach Thomas Tuchel also praised: "Nico had a great debut today, he is a very calm person. He is... very intelligent on the pitch and has adapted very well to all the new things we asked of him."
For his part, O'Reilly has his sights set on a clear target: “Getting to the World Cup is a target of mine... I have to keep working hard, game by game and day by day.”
Impact on Tuchel's left-back problem
O'Reilly has shown he is a serious contender for England's left-back spot: his Manchester City experience, his ability to adapt from midfield to defence, and his solid debut against Serbia. Tuchel has shown faith in him, and if he continues to improve, the 20-year-old could become a long-term solution for the Three Lions' left flank.