Harry Kane and Miles Lewis-Skelly were at the top of their game as they helped England’s new manager, Thomas Tuchel, secure a 2-0 win against Albania on Friday.
The match at Wembley started with 82,378 fans paying their respects in a moment of silence for the former Stoke City midfielder, George Eastham.
The Three Lions asserted their dominance against Albania from the start, with a 75% possession throughout the 90 minutes and 12 attempts for the goal.
Harry Kane had a close call for England in the 16th minute but could not keep hold of the ball against Albania’s defence.
But only a few minutes later, 18-year-old Miles Lewis-Skelly made his debut with a successful goal, tapping the ball under goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha’s legs with a fantastic assist from Jude Bellingham.
Albania responded to England’s pressure and stepped up their game with a first attempt to even the score thwarted by Dan Burn which gave Albania a corner kick.
In the 33rd minute, Bellingham had a shot at glory, but Strakosha protected Albania’s net and stopped England from affirming their lead.
Bellingham persisted, with a swooping assist from Kyle Walker blocked off by Albania’s goalkeeper once again. England’s captain followed up with an attempt in the 39th minute but missed his mark.
The crowd witnessed the first half come to an end with a failed corner kick effort for the goal from Dan Burn, but fans cheered on for the lions.
In a relentless second half, the 59th minute saw Marcus Rashford and Bellingham create another opportunity for Kane, only for the captain’s free header to land off target.
Albanian striker, Jasir Asani, broke through England’ s defence as time was running out for the opponents, but Ezri Konsa blocked off Asani’s opportunity.
The anticipation among the crowd was palpable as Declan Rice crossed the ball towards an open Harry Kane, who made a controlled throw towards the goal and secured a 2-0 score for England in the 77th minute.
Albania tried to desperately even the score in the last ten minutes and brought in two strategic substitutes, Alban Hoxha and Adrion Pajaziti.
England now stands at the top of Group K before facing off Latvia on Monday in their second World Cup Qualifier match.
Latvia are riding off a victory themselves, after they secured a 1-0 win against Andorra on Friday, 21 March.
