England's match against Latvia showcased contrasting elements, where the victory was less about the scoreline and more about tactical effectiveness under Thomas Tuchel. Despite scoring multiple goals, including a stunning free-kick by Reece James and a deflected shot from Eberechi Eze, England struggled with predictability and tempo in their play. Tuchel's debut as manager was marked by solid but unspectacular execution against a defensively-minded opponent. Jude Bellingham flirted with danger when he narrowly avoided a second yellow card, which could have altered the match dynamics.
It was easy to enjoy the Mexican wave rippling around Wembley in the 75th minute, shortly after Harry Kane had made it 2-0 and just before Eberechi Eze...
It is never ideal when the onus is on England to break down ultra-defensive opponents. But there were spells... when England were predictable in possession, lacking tempo.
Tuchel can reflect on a solid enough start after Friday's 2-0 win here over Albania. It has not been spectacular.
The question perennial. When England is expected to win—especially against lower-ranked teams—what does that say about their mentality and approach?
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