England secured a 2-0 win over Albania to complete a perfect World Cup qualifying campaign, and both Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane had plenty to say about the performance after the match.
Kane reflects on tough test
Kane, who scored both goals, admitted it was far from straightforward.
“It was a really tough game, one of the toughest we had in the group,” he told ITV.
“We had to be patient and grind them down, which we did, and we ended up with a 2-0 win and another clean sheet.”
Looking ahead to the World Cup, the England captain also spoke confidently about the strength of the squad.
“It’s as good as we’ve ever had [the squad]. When you look at the starting XI and those coming off the bench, we’re going to go into the tournament as one of the favourites.
“We have to accept that – it’s been like that for the last two tournaments. That’s part and parcel. We’ve been building under the new coach and we now look forward to a great 2026.”
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Tuchel praises resilience and depth
Tuchel, meanwhile, acknowledged the difficult moments but praised the way his players managed the match.
“Nice match, I loved it. Serbia was difficult, this was difficult,” the German admitted to ITV.
“We were fully in control then lost control, but we managed to overcome some difficult moments and the atmosphere.
“Then to open up the match with a set-piece goal and quality to finish the game. Everyone is happy and they deserve it.”
He further highlighted how valuable England’s squad depth has become under his leadership. “We have a very strong squad – to influence games from the bench is a privilege and the guys are fantastic.”
Tuchel also addressed Jude Bellingham’s frustration when he was substituted.
“That is a decision and he has to accept the decision. His friend is waiting on the sidelines,” he said.
“Accept it, respect it, and keep on going.”
Even though the display was far from England at their best, Tuchel made it clear he felt the win was deserved: “I could feel we were invested and that they were difficult to break down. It needed a little moment to open the match.”
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