Myles Lewis-Skelly’s first goal and a brace from Harry Kane gave England a 2-0 win over Albania in their first Group K match of the 2026 European Football Championship qualifiers at Wembley Stadium on Saturday (IST).
It was also Thomas Tuchel’s first win as England manager since being appointed at the end of last year.
England are temporarily top of the group with three points, followed by Latvia, who beat Andorra 1-0.
England took the lead with their first shot on goal in the 20th minute.
Lewis-Skelly tore through the Albanian defence after being set up by Jude Bellingham.
The goal made Lewis-Skelly England’s youngest ever goalscorer. The Arsenal man was 18 years and 176 days old.
Albania’s best chance came in the 27th minute when Arlind Ajeti headed wide from a corner.
And Burn almost doubled England’s lead in the 41st minute when his header hit the post.
In the second half, Albania threatened to break the English defence on the counter-attack. However, the hosts were able to clear the danger before it reached the penalty area.
England then doubled their lead in the 77th minute when Harry Kane scored with a curling shot after controlling the ball from Declan Rice’s cross.
Lineups:
England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Konsa, Burn, Lewis-Skelly (Reece 90′); Rice (Henderson 82′), Jones (Rogers 74′), Bellingham, Foden (Bowen 74′), Rashford (Gordon 74′), Kane.
Albania (4-3-3): Strakosha (Kastrati 82′); Balliu, A. Ajeti, Djimsiti, Aliji; Ramadani, Asllani, Laçi (Pajaziti 78′), N. Bajrami (Broja 63′), Asani (Hoxha 78′), Uzuni.
