Harry Kane Delivers as England Edge Past Andorra in World Cup Qualifier

Barcelona — England made it three wins out of three in their World Cup qualifying campaign under new head coach Thomas Tuchel, but Saturday’s narrow 1-0 victory over Andorra raised more questions than celebrations.

Harry Kane’s 50th-minute strike, following a deflected save and quick pass from Noni Madueke, proved to be the difference at the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat — home of Espanyol — where the match was relocated due to construction delays in Andorra’s national stadium.

Kane’s finish marked his 72nd international goal in just 106 appearances, a milestone that further cements his place in Three Lions history. But the slim margin of victory against the 173rd-ranked Andorra left England fans and their German tactician unimpressed.

“It wasn’t good enough in terms of focus and urgency,” said Tuchel post-match. “At this level, especially against teams that play deep, we must maintain intensity for 90 minutes.”

England Dominates butt Struggle to Score

England controlled the majority of possession and created more chances than their hosts, but lacked the clinical edge. Eberechi Eze nearly added a second with a header that was tipped onto the crossbar by Iker Álvarez, who put on a standout display for Andorra.

Late in the match, Andorra nearly equalized when Guillaume Lopez’s shot was blocked by Ezri Konsa, a moment that nearly silenced the visiting supporters.

“We have to do better,” Kane admitted. “We let them grow into the game with our mistakes. When it’s 1-0 near the end, anything can happen.”

Tuchel’s Tactical Record Remains Spotless

Despite the modest showing, England now sit atop Group K with 9 points, having also defeated Albania and Latvia. Impressively, they have yet to concede a goal under Tuchel’s reign.

Andorra, meanwhile, remain winless, but drew praise from their coach Koldo Álvarez.

“Our players gave everything. That effort and commitment are what make us proud,” Álvarez said after the match.

Group K Update: Albania Held by Serbia

Elsewhere in Group K, Albania and Serbia played out a tense 0-0 draw in Tirana under heavy security presence. Over 2,000 police officers were deployed to prevent crowd trouble due to long-standing political tensions.

Serbian goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović denied Rey Manaj from the penalty spot — the game’s best chance. The atmosphere was intense throughout, with Albanian fans loudly booing Serbia’s national anthem and chanting “Kosovo” in protest.

This result keeps Albania second in the group with four points, while Serbia sit just behind after three rounds.

Elsewhere in European Qualifying

In Group H, Bosnia and Herzegovina continued their strong start with a 1-0 win over San Marino thanks to a goal from 39-year-old veteran Edin Džeko. Bosnia lead their group after three wins, while San Marino remain at the bottom without a point.

Austria also picked up a vital win in Group H by defeating the Romania team 2-1. Michael Gregoritsch and Marcel Sabitzer scored for the Austrians before a late strike from Denis Alibec reduced the scoreline..

Meanwhile, in Group G, the Netherlands opened their qualifying match with a 2-0 win in Finland. Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries provided the goals in a comfortable performance for the Oranje.

Lithuania was held to a goalless draw at Malta in the same group.

What’s Next for England?

England return home to Wembley, where they will host Senegal in an international friendly on Tuesday. While the match won’t impact qualification, it offers Tuchel a chance to assess fringe players and refine his system.

The European qualifying stage continues through November, with only the group winners advancing directly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Second-place finishers will battle it out in playoff rounds for the remaining spots.

Bal Leagues’ Take

Even teams stacked with Premier League and Bundesliga stars must grind out results when facing deep defensive blocks and inspired goalkeepers. While Tuchel’s men remain defensively solid, converting possession into goals will be key in tougher tests ahead.

Balleagues

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