Thomas Tuchel's first game as England boss was a tale of debuts throughout - with first-time caps Myles Lewis-Skelly and Dan Burn being the star men as the Three Lions recorded a 1-0 win over Albania at Wembley.
The former Chelsea gaffer, who was announced in October, had to deal with a low Albania block if they were to break the deadlock in Tuchel's bow as boss, and that took just twenty minutes when Jude Bellingham threaded a superb ball through to Lewis-Skelly, who slid the ball under Thomas Strakosha to become England's youngest ever debutant goalscorer.
Bellingham and Harry Kane then had a couple of their efforts rebuffed by valiant defending, with only a slender lead going into the break - but the second period saw more England relentlessness. Kane flashed a header wide on the hour, and Albania had a sniff when Jasir Asani looked to be in but was thwarted by Ezri Konsa. But when Kane finally scored after a superb takedown, it marked a decent debut for Tuchel - though he'll look to do more against Latvia on Monday.
England Statistics Albania
4 Shots on target 0
3 Shots off target 2
75 Possession (%) 25
8 Fouls 8
0 Yellow cards 1
4 Corners 1
Match Highlights and Goals
Full match highlights to follow...
England Player Ratings
Harry Kane in England vs Albania
Jordan Pickford - 6/10
Little to do for the Three Lions stopper, but his distribution was more than good enough. It will be tough for anyone to wrestle the shirt off him under his second permanent boss.
Kyle Walker - 7/10
The AC Milan loanee was recalled against the odds, and he looked back to his old self. Little to do defensively but contributed with some positive passes.
Ezri Konsa - 6.5/10
Not much defending to do for the Aston Villa star, but he played in the recovery centre-back role with ease and denied Asani from a clear shot on goal.
Dan Burn - 7/10
His last appearance at Wembley wasn't bad - and the debutant looked composured and reassured on his England debut. Progressive passing wasn't the best, but he almost scored to cap off a wonderful week.
Myles Lewis-Skelly - 8/10 - Man of the Match
The only other debutant in Tuchel's first-ever starting XI, and the Arsenal man was the star. Tidy in possession and the opening goal means he could be a shoo-in for years to come.
Curtis Jones - 6/10
Tricky and positive as he looked to be the creative force to break the Albanian low block down.
Jude Bellingham - 7/10
Looked lively from the off with bursting runs into the area. Incredibly weighted ball to feed Lewis-Skelly for the opener.
Declan Rice - 6/10
The lynchpin in England's side, his work as a No.6 was industrious and his calmness in possession helped England progress up the pitch.
Phil Foden - 4.5/10
Played on the opposite side to his unfavoured left-wing position at the Euros. Didn't influence the game at all and was England's worst player. Not a great audition.
Harry Kane - 7/10
Perhaps should have scored twice in the first half, but his general teamwork and build-up is something to marvel at. Great finish to wrap the game up.
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Marcus Rashford - 7/10
Rashford wouldn't have dreamt of being in the England side after his Manchester United shun by Ruben Amorim. Looked at home in the national setup once again an electric demeanour.
SUB - Jarrod Bowen - 4/10
The West Ham star was introduced for Foden to make his 10th cap but he couldn't turn the screw.
SUB - Morgan Rogers - 4/10
A stellar season for the Villa star, who has been on fire this season, and his appearance earned him another cap.
SUB - Anthony Gordon - 4/10
The third in a hat-trick of substitutions gave Tuchel fresh legs up front.
SUB - Jordan Henderson - 4/10
Came on to a rapturous applause following his surprise inclusion.
SUB - Reece James - 3/10
Introduced for Lewis-Skelly in stoppage time.
Albania Player Ratings
Albania's Thomas Strakosha saves a header from England's Jude Bellingham
Thomas Strakosha - 6/10
Should perhaps have done more for Lewis-Skelly's effort but the former Brentford stopper did produce a couple of brilliant saves given England's possession.
Ivan Balliu - 5/10
Smart covering to deny Kane a certain goal after 16 minutes, but he left Lewis-Skelly run off him for the opener just moments later.
Arlind Ajeti - 6/10
Keeping Kane quiet was always going to be hard and his missed interception led to the England skipper scoring.
Berat Djimsiti - 6/10
The leader at the back for the away side, and he led his men into battle very well to begin with. Booked on the half hour but denied a certain goal with a heroic block.
Naser Aliji - 6/10
Foden didn't test him too much and that is of credit to the full-back.
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Kristjan Asllani - 5/10
The Inter Milan star didn't have as much time on the ball as he would've liked, but he showed decent glimpses on the counter when the chance allowed.
Yiber Ramadani - 4.5/10
England's possession-clad midfield gave Ramadani the run around and their engine room struggled against England's stars.
Jasir Asani - 6/10
Produced a cross that had both Pickford and Burn scrambling in Albania's only real attack of the game, before being thwarted by Konsa.
Qazim Laci - 4.5/10
Much like Ramadani, there wasn't much he could've done as England's possession suffocated the Sparta Prague man.
Nedim Bajrami - 5.5/10
The Rangers man had a couple of decent moments of skill when there wasn't much to feed on in the middle third of the park.
Myrto Uzuni - 5/10
A tough task chasing shadows for the majority of the game.
SUB - Armando Broja - 4/10
The Everton loanee came on for added firepower with half an hour to go but as the rest of the game showed, he got little service.
SUB - Arber Hoxha - 4/10
Brought on for fresh legs in the middle of the park.
SUB - Adrion Pajaziti - 4/10
Another late Albania substitute to keep energy levels high in the side.
SUB - Elhan Kastrati - 4/10
Wouldn't have expected to play but with Strakosha injured, he was thrust into the goals.
Statistics courtesy of LiveScore. Correct as of 21-03-25.