England Under Tuchel: First Win, Same Questions

England needed a response after the 3-2 loss to Spain. They got one in Prague, but the 2-0 win over 10-man Czechia raised some of the same questions that have followed Thomas Tuchel’s side since the World Cup.

Czechia started the game with more intensity and created the early openings, but the match changed in the 23rd minute when Pavel Šulc was sent off after a VAR review for a high challenge on Elliot Anderson. The initial decision was a yellow card before referee Umut Meler was asked to review the incident.

England now had a numerical advantage, but they did not make much of it before half-time.

Morgan Rogers hit the post after Anthony Gordon created the opening, while Czechia had already shown that England could be exposed before the red card. The visitors had more of the ball after Šulc’s dismissal, but the build-up lacked urgency and the final third remained congested.

That was the concern. Against ten men, England still needed a tactical change to turn possession into genuine pressure.

Tuchel made one at half-time, bringing on Eberechi Eze, and England eventually found the breakthrough 67 seconds after the restart.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, making his first England start in almost two years, won the ball high before delivering a precise cross into the box. Gordon attacked it and headed into the far corner for his third goal in three successive England appearances.

It was exactly the kind of moment Alexander-Arnold needed.

Gordon and Trent Celebrating

After missing the World Cup squad, his return to the starting XI carried its own weight. He did not have to dominate the game. He needed to show what he could give England that some of the other options could not.

The answer came with one cross.

Gordon also made the quality of the delivery count. After the game, the Barcelona forward explained why he had been eager to play with Alexander-Arnold.

“I make that run time and time again and only a certain type of player has got the technique, ability and bravery to make the pass,” Gordon told ITV. “Credit to Trent, that's why he's so good. I've been dying to play with him for that reason.”

Alexander-Arnold was just as clear about what the return meant to him.

“It was amazing, always an honour and pleasure to represent my country " he said. "It’s been a time but I’ve always believed that I can play for England. I always want to." He added that the key was proving himself at club level and taking the opportunity when Tuchel gave it to him. 

Kane added the second goal in the 69th minute scoring his 87th international goal after a good link up play involving Eze and Rogers. England finally turned their advantage into a comfortable lead.
Tuchel was satisfied with the result even though the performance was not all that spectacular.

We played professionally in the second half Tuchel said. we stepped up we needed to be a bit more dynamic and put a bit urgency into England play.

Tuchel also acknowledged the nature of the game after the early red card.

It is a bit strange to receive a red card. It is not the best for the spectators or the teams, Tuchel said.. we got an important win and that is what counts.

Tuchel also felt that Alexander‑Arnold looked more comfortable after the change at half‑time.

Tuchel said that the position in the half suited Trent a little bit more than the position in the first half while praising both full‑backs.

Gordon was England’s standout attacker. Gordon stretched Czechia from the left created problems before and after the red card, and now has three goals in his last three England appearances. Tuchel was particularly impressed by the difficulty of Gordon’s header.

Not a lot can convert Gordon’s goal, Tuchel said. There was a lot to do for Gordon and to guide it into the far post, that was an excellent goal, a good pass and a good goal.

The midfield remains the bigger question.

Elliot Anderson energy was unmatched in the game. He helped England build from deeper areas while Myles Lewis‑Skelly provided security.. But England still struggled to consistently break lines once Czechia dropped into a compact shape.

That problem was visible before the second goal.

England could move the ball from side to side. There were long periods when possession did not become penetration. England often looked towards the wings or Kane’s movement than finding a midfielder who could receive between the lines and force the Czech defence to turn.

That is where the 2‑0 scoreline needs context.

Tuchel giving out tactics to his team

England did what they had to do after going a man up. They scored early in the second half, added another goal soon after and managed the game from there. But Czechia were already reduced to ten men for more than an hour, and England still needed a change at half-time to find their breakthrough.

The issue is not that England cannot control games. It is how England turns that control into chances when the opposition sits deep.

The midfield needs progressive play. Someone has to receive under pressure carry the ball through the line or play the pass that opens the block. Without that England can end up circulating possession without creating danger.

That also explains why Alexander‑Arnold’s performance matters.

Alexander‑Arnold’s passing gives England another way to break a structure, particularly from a deeper position. Tuchel noticed it Gordon benefited from it, and the first goal showed the value of having a player who can produce that delivery without needing sideways passes to create the opening.

England now sit second in Group A3, three points behind Spain after Spain’s 4‑1 win over Croatia. England next face Croatia on Saturday before meeting Czechia at home.

The win gives Tuchel the result he needed. Alexander‑Arnold has also given Tuchel another attacking option.

The bigger question is still, in midfield.