England3 - 0Latvia

After overseeing a 2-0 win over Albania, Thomas Tuchel opted to make four changes for his second game in charge, offering starting opportunities to James, Marc Guehi, Jarrod Bowen and Morgan Rogers.

The Three Lions experienced a frustrating first half until James conjured up a special free-kick to score his first England goal in his 18th international appearance.

Kane made it two in the second period to make his mark on a night where he moved level with Billy Wright on England's all-time appearance list with the Bayern Munich striker earning his 105th cap.

There was still plenty of time left for Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze to join James in opening his international account, sealing a comfortable victory even if the performance was uninspiring at times.

Tuchel will ultimately be pleased to start his tenure with consecutive victories without conceding, leaving the Three Lions three points clear at the top of Group K.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

In truth, the first half was fairly lacklustre as England struggled to break down a sturdy and determined Latvian backline.

While they created several chances, the only real bright point of the first period was James's unstoppable free-kick.

England were improved in the second period, partly due to their greater intent as well as the fact their opponents began to tire as the contest wore on.

Tuchel would have been particularly pleased with England's third because Eze demonstrated a willingness to run at the opposition, showcasing the sort of directness that was missing from Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford's game on Friday evening.

ENGLAND VS. LATVIA HIGHLIGHTS

James goal vs. Latvia (38th min, England 1-0 Latvia)

England finally find the breakthrough courtesy of a piece of magic from James. The Chelsea full-back assumes responsibility from a free-kick in a promising position. James starts his effort outside the goalkeeper's left post, curling it back in to open his international account.

Kane goal vs. Latvia (68th min, England 2-0 Latvia)

England's all-time record goalscorer doubles his team's advantage at Wembley. Rice creates the goal by making a deep run from midfield to collect Rogers's neat pass. The Arsenal midfielder fires the ball across the face of goal for Kane to tap home.

Eze goal vs. Latvia (76th min, England 3-0 Latvia)

Eze gets his name on the scoresheet. The Crystal Palace attacker drifts into the box from the left flank and evades a couple of Latvia defenders with his nimble footwork before blasting the ball past Krisjanis Zviedris with the aid of a wicked deflection.

MAN OF THE MATCH - REECE JAMES

James slotted seamlessly into the England side in what was his first international start since playing 90 minutes in a UEFA Nations League game against Germany in September 2022.

The Chelsea star produced a David Beckham-esque free-kick to find the crucial breakthrough to ensure England did not have to go into the break on level terms.

The 25-year-old also showcased his versatility by moving into the middle of the park in the closing stages after playing the majority of the game at right-back.

James completed 96 of his 97 passes while he made eight recoveries in an impressive performance on the hallowed Wembley turf.

ENGLAND VS. LATVIA MATCH STATS

Possession: England 73%-27% Latvia

Shots: England 27-3 Latvia

Shots on target: England 8-1 Latvia

Corners: England 4-1 Latvia

Fouls: England 11-13 Latvia

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

After starting with consecutive victories, Tuchel will use the next couple of months to continue to assess those eligible for call-ups before he names his next squad ahead of June's fixtures against Andorra and Senegal in a qualifier and a friendly respectively.

As for Latvia, they will return to action with a friendly against Azerbaijan on June 7, before they face Albania in World Cup qualifying just a few days later.

Written by

Ben Sully