England qualify for World Cup with rout of Latvia

Harry Kane netted a brace as England clinched their spot in the 2026 World Cup following a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Latvia on Tuesday.

Anthony Gordon got the ball rolling in Riga, paving the way for Kane to boost his seasonal goal count across club and international duties to 21 in just 13 appearances.

The scoreline was completed by an unfortunate own goal from Andrejs Ciganiks and a well-taken effort by Eberechi Eze, ensuring the Three Lions locked down first place in UEFA qualifying Group K with two matches still remaining.

Thomas Tuchel has aced his initial challenge, guiding his team to become the earliest European side to book their World Cup place.

Since the German coach assumed control, England have triumphed in all six qualifiers, netting 18 times while keeping a clean sheet.

Following a tentative beginning to Tuchel's tenure, marked by narrow wins against Albania and Andorra alongside a June friendly loss to Senegal, the squad has hit top form during the latest international windows.

Tuchel faced scrutiny for excluding returning stars Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden from this month's lineup.

However, the ex-Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain manager has proven wise in sticking to his core group for consistency.

Gordon exemplifies those thriving from consistent starts on the left flank of the forward line.

The Newcastle forward broke the deadlock on 26 minutes with his second goal for England, slicing inside to bend the ball into the top corner.

Kane had earlier squandered a prime opportunity, volleying a Gordon delivery astray.

Yet the Bayern Munich forward quickly rediscovered his touch, bagging two strikes within four minutes late in the opening period, lifting his England total to 76 in 110 outings.

Even after stumbling, Kane directed a left-footed effort into the far post to make it 2-0.

He then converted a lenient penalty after Latvia skipper Antonijs Cernomordijs tugged at his jersey.

England managed the second half comfortably, though five changes somewhat hampered their rhythm up front.

The fourth came via Latvian mishap, with Ciganiks deflecting the ball into his own goal following a failed clearance by keeper Krisjanis Zviedris on Djed Spence's delivery.

Eze, subbed on post-interval, capped the night with an elegant surge and shot on 86 minutes.

England's last World Cup absence was in 1994, when the tournament was hosted in the USA.

Tuchel's true test begins now, aiming to secure England's first major honour since 1966 for his adopted country.

Tough choices await, with Bellingham, Foden, Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Cole Palmer absent even from the Riga trip.

Still, England head to the tournament in June as frontrunners to claim their inaugural World Cup title abroad.