LONDON: Reece James sco­red a brilliant free kick and Eberechi Eze grabbed his maiden international goal as England beat Latvia 3-0 to help make it two wins out of two for Thomas Tuchel’s side in their World Cup qualifying campaign on Monday.

Tuchel’s side once again laboured to break down defensive opposition for long periods. But three days after struggling to beat Albania 2-0 in Tuchel’s first game in charge, England eventually mustered enough composure and quality to kill off 140th-ranked Latvia.

Chelsea right back James, making his first England start since 2022, curled in a sublime free kick to break the deadlock in the 38th minute of the Group ‘K’ clash at Wembley.

Hamstring injuries had sidelined James for most of last season, as well as several months in the current campaign. But James was a key figure when Tuchel’s Chelsea won the 2021 Champions League and the 25-year-old could emerge as a significant weapon if he can stay fit.

England captain Harry Kane put the result beyond doubt in the second half with his 71st international goal in the 68th with a tap-in from Declan Rice’s pass.

Eze then came off the bench for an impressive cameo performance and the winger was rewarded when his mazy run and deflected shot made it 3-0 in the 76th minute.

Tuchel praised the returning James and said he was happy with the way things have gone in his first two matches.

“I know Reecey and the quality the boy has is amazing,” the German told broadcaster ITV. “He has every right to be proud and happy with his performance. He is in excellent shape. He looks sharp, in shape and the quality there can be no doubt.

“It was not an easy match. We saw a lot of good things, created good chances. We needed a free-kick to unlock it. I’m happy with the attitude, energy and desire. We will get there.”

Kane added: “I think there were more patterns of play, more chances than Friday. But again it was tough, playing against 11 behind the ball. Overall we can be pleased with two wins and two clean sheets.”

Favourites England top the group on six points with Albania, who beat Andorra 3-0 in Mon­day’s other fixture, and Latvia on three. Only the group winners qualify automatically for next year’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Rey Manaj scored twice for Albania in the first half and Myrto Uzuni added a third in second-half stoppage time.

In Group ‘G’, Poland won for the second time in three days thanks to two goals from Karol Swiderski against Malta. Swiderski scored in each half.

Earlier, Finland gave up a two-goal lead in Lithuania and drew 2-2, missing the chance to maintain a 100% record.

Kaan Kairinen put the Finns ahead after four minutes and Joel Pohjanpalo doubled their lead from the penalty spot 13 minutes later.

But Armandas Kucys pulled a goal back for Lithuania just before halftime and Gvidas Gineitis equalised with a 30-metre strike in the 69th.

Poland top Group ‘G’ with six points, two ahead of Finland, one of the teams that have never before qualified for the World Cup.

In Group ‘H’, Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Cyprus 2-1 at home to stay perfect.

Ermedin Demirovic put the Bosnians 1-0 up midway through the first half and Ioannis Pittas headed home an equaliser for Cyprus on the stroke of halftime. However, Haris Hajra­dinovic fired into the top corner early in the second half to add to their opening win over Romania last week.

Romania got their first points after winning at San Marino 5-1. The fifth team in Group ‘H’, Austria, are still to kick off their campaign.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2025