England confirmed their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a dominant 5-0 win over Latvia yesterday, completing a perfect run in Group K and sending a strong message to their rivals.
The opener came in the 25th minute as Anthony Gordon cut into the box and curled a precise shot past the Latvian keeper.
Late in the first half, Harry Kane struck twice—first exploiting a defensive error, then converting a penalty to make it 3-0 by halftime.
In the 57th minute, a cross from Djed Spence was turned into an own goal by Maksims Tonīševs, increasing the margin.
Substitute Eberechi Eze wrapped up the scoring late with a polished finish, sealing a comprehensive victory for England.
England now complete their qualifying campaign with six wins from six matches, scoring 18 goals and conceding none. They are the first European nation to clinch a place in the 2026 tournament.
England’s performance was a blend of aggression, precision, and tactical balance. Under Thomas Tuchel, the team pressed intensely, retained possession purposefully, and countered swiftly when opportunities arose.
Kane’s form continues to be central. His brace further cements his status as England’s all-time leading scorer, now with 76 goals.
The defensive unit was just as impressive—Latvia barely managed any clear chances, and England’s clean sheet run now extends to six in a row in qualifying.
From a football prediction perspective, this result confirms many pre-match expectations: England were strong favorites, and their convincing win will shift future prediction models even more in their favor.
Australia , Brisbane