England's Myles Lewis-Skelly celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying.
Thomas Tuchel has won his first match as England manager with a 2-0 victory over Albania, thanks to a historic goal from young Myles Lewis-Skelly in the team's opening qualifier for the 2026 World Cup.
Appointed as Sir Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor in October and officially starting on New Year’s Day, the German head coach took charge for the first time in Friday's match.
Lewis-Skelly, 18, made history 20 minutes into the match in Wembley Stadium, scoring the first goal of Tuchel’s reign and becoming the youngest player ever to score on his senior England debut.
Jude Bellingham began the move, skipping past his marker in midfield before threading a pass through the defence. Lewis-Skelly sprinted onto it on the left side of the box and slotted the ball home.
Harry Kane doubled the lead in the 78th minute and netted his 70th goal for England after a pass from Declan Rice. He controlled the ball, waited for the defender to close in, then curled a shot into the far corner.
Kane also became the first England player to score on his debut under three different managers - Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate, and Tuchel.
Before Kane's lead extender, Bellingham had a chance to double the lead 40 minutes in, heading towards goal after a pinpoint cross from Kyle Walker.
But Albanian goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha saved it with his foot, and Berat Djimsiti brilliantly blocked Kane’s follow-up effort.
Overall, it wasn’t the most thrilling game of football, but it showcased Thomas Tuchel’s first starting 11 team and offered a glimpse of what his team could look like.
England manager Thomas Tuchel during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Group K match at Wembley Stadium. Credit: PA
Far tougher challenges lie ahead though, but the new boss will have been pleased with much of what he saw in his debut match.
On Thursday, Tuchel said he wanted to bring hunger and excitement back to England having felt Sir Gareth Southgate’s side were inhibited by a fear of failure at last summer’s European Championship.
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