By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 22:17 GMT, 24 March 2025 | Updated: 22:17 GMT, 24 March 2025
LONDON (AP) - Reece James scored a brilliant free kick and Eberechi Eze grabbed his maiden international goal as England beat Latvia 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley Stadium on Monday.
James, making his first start in 2 1/2 years, curled a 25-meter free kick into the top corner after 37 minutes. The goal was his first in 18 England appearances and broke down a stuffy Latvia side.
Midway through the second half, with the home crowd starting to get restless, young midfielder Morgan Rogers combined well with Declan Rice to pave the way for a Harry Kane tap-in.
Then Eze cut in from the right and his shot hit the back of the net after taking a slight deflection.
England is the hot favorite to win Europe Group K and qualify for the 2026 World Cup. New coach Thomas Tuchel, in just his second game in charge, will be content with the result if not the performance against a side 136 places behind it in the FIFA rankings.
In the same group, Albania bounced back from losing to England 2-0 on Friday by beating Andorra 3-0 at home. Rey Manaj scored twice in the first half and Myrto Uzuni added a third in second-half stoppage time.
England's Reece James, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during a World Cup qualifying soccer match between England and Latvia at Wembley stadium in London, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
In Group G, Poland won for the second time in three days thanks to two goals from Karol ´Swiderski against Malta. ´Swiderski scored in each half.
Earlier, Finland gave up a two-goal lead in Lithuania and drew 2-2, missing the chance to maintain a 100% record.
Kaan Kairinen put the Finns ahead after four minutes and Joel Pohjanpalo doubled their lead from the penalty spot 13 minutes later. But Armandas Kucys pulled a goal back for Lithuania just before halftime and Gvidas Gineitis equalized with a 30-meter strike in the 69th.
Poland tops Group G with six points, two ahead of Finland, one of the teams that has never before qualified for the World Cup.
In Group H, Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Cyprus 2-1 at home to stay perfect.
Ermedin Demirovi´c put the Bosnians 1-0 up midway through the first half and Ioannis Pittas headed home an equalizer for Cyprus on the stroke of halftime. However, Haris Hajradinovi´c fired into the top corner early in the second half to add to their opening win over Romania last week.
Romania got its first points after winning at San Marino 5-1. The fifth team in Group H, Austria, has still to kick off its campaign.
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England coach Thomas Tuchel reacts during a World Cup qualifying soccer match between England and Latvia at Wembley stadium in London, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
England's Jarrod Bowen kicks the ball during a World Cup qualifying soccer match between England and Latvia at Wembley stadium in London, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
England's Reece James, left, scores his side's opening goal during a World Cup qualifying soccer match between England and Latvia at Wembley stadium in London, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
England's Harry Kane applauds fans at the end of a World Cup qualifying soccer match between England and Latvia at Wembley stadium in London, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
England's Eberechi Eze, right, challenges for the ball with Latvia's Alvis Jaunzems during a World Cup qualifying soccer match between England and Latvia at Wembley stadium in London, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)