- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,199,405
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Harry Kane leads the celebrations in Belgrade following England’s thrashing of Serbia - Getty Images/Oliver Bunic
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
And now, to borrow that famous phrase from his compatriot and friend Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel can turn doubters into believers. We have lift-off. This is England not Germany (or Liverpool) but finally we got an idea, an identity, a feeling for what the head coach wants. This was by far the best we have seen under him and there are suddenly far fewer doubting Thomas now.
Big games, big manager. That is the aura that Tuchel exudes and so England brushed aside Serbia, in their apparently hostile stadium which felt beaten and half-empty long before the end, to take total command of their qualification group for next year’s World Cup.
Tuchel’s remit is to win that trophy and in his sixth game in charge we actually got to see a glimpse of that glorious possibility.
Harry Kane began it, of course he did, in what was his 109th cap – taking him above Bobby Moore, the England World Cup-winning captain, and into fifth place on his own in the all-time appearance list.
It was Kane’s 74th goal in England colours but for three of the other four scorers it was their first.
If beating defensive teams like Andorra, as England so underwhelmingly did in their previous qualifier last Saturday, was “like chewing gum” then here Serbia – supposedly the biggest threat in the group – were just spat out.
It is five from five and no goals conceded in qualification from England but this was a different dimension, a different ball game to what they have previously laboured to show under Tuchel and, interestingly, it was achieved with a relatively inexperienced line-up.
Only four players had 25 caps or more; four more were in single digits and while Tuchel arrived giving the sense that he would go for the old guard there was a fresh-faced excitement to this team, albeit partly because of others being out injured.
So what does he do now?
A host of players were outstanding and none more so than Noni Madueke, under-studying Bukayo Saka on the right, and Morgan Rogers in the midfield three while Elliot Anderson looks born to it in earning only his second cap. Both centre-halves scored. Both were excellent.
In the stands the frustration spilled over with Serbian supporters fighting among themselves while others left before captain Nikola Milenkovic was red-carded. From a Rice free-kick, England struck again with the delivery reaching Guehi who stabbed home.
It was his first England goal also with the fifth coming after a VAR check following a foul on Ollie Watkins. His fellow substitute Marcus Rashford stroked in the penalty to complete Serbia’s heaviest ever home defeat.
Marcus Rashford makes it FIVE ️️
And it's FIVE different England players on the scoresheet tonight pic.twitter.com/Ik4PxZ0Rjk
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 9, 2025
The statement has been made. The standard has been set as England can head to the World Cup fuelling belief.
Ezri Konsa speaking to the BBC
Thomas Tuchel praises Noni Madueke
England thank their travelling support
They were pretty much the only ones left when the game ended!
More from Kane, talking to ITV
"There's been a lot of noise around performances"
"We were electric in moments"️
Harry Kane reacts to England's 5-0 win over Serbia in his 109th appearance ️ pic.twitter.com/BhnzQtlg25
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 9, 2025
Harry Kane, who scored England’s first tonight, speaking to the BBC
Quotes from Marc Guehi
Noni Madueke speaking to ITV
You must be registered for see images attach
Noni Madueke got his first senior England goal this evening - Marko Drobnjakovic/AP
Post-match thoughts of Thomas Tuchel
You must be registered for see images attach
England flying high at the top of Group K - Marko Djurica/Reuters
Two wins from two in this international break
England’s upcoming fixtures
October 9: Wales (friendly)- home
October 14: Latvia (World Cup qualifying)- away
November 13: Serbia (World Cup qualifying)- home
November 16: Albania (World Cup qualifying)- away
Roy Keane on Morgan Rogers
You must be registered for see images attach
Morgan Rogers got an assist tonight - Michael Regan/Getty Images
Player ratings
6. Marc Guehi
Has been excellent over two games despite the disappointment of his Liverpool move breaking down on deadline day. Showed his range of passing as well as usual perfect positioning - and popped up with a goal. 8/10
World Cup starter chances: Increasingly likely. Eyebrows raised when he was on the bench in Tuchel’s first game in charge back in March. Now showing why he should be starting every game.
5. Ezri Konsa
His block late in the first half sparked celebrations like he had scored a goal. Then he got a goal himself at the other end. Good positioning and got away with a slip when he lost his footing in a dangerous area. 8/10
World Cup starter chances: Making a strong case in fight to start which looks like him versus Dan Burn.
Tuchel’s men in firm control
Tonight’s World Cup qualifiers
Group D
Azerbaijan 1 Ukraine 1
France 2 Iceland 1
Group F
Armenia 2 Republic of Ireland 1
Hungary 2 Portugal 3
Group H
Bosnia 1 Austria 2
Cyprus 2 Romania 2
Group I
Norway 11 Moldova 1
Group K
Albania 1 Latvia 0
Serbia 0 England 5
FT stats
Possession: Serbia 30%-70% England
Shots: 3-24
Shots on target: 0-12
Corners: 2-6
Touches in opposition box: 4-42
The statistics do not lie; England were dominant tonight.
Full time
There is the final whistle and England have thumped Serbia in Belgrade. Thomas Tuchel’s men probably would not have minded the game continuing to allow them to rack up goals but Serbia will be relieved that the final whistle has been blown. England’s position at the top of Group K is looking pretty unassailable. There have been some pretty drab games in Tuchel’s reign so far but that was arguably the best performance of his tenure to date, granted against a woeful Serbia side but you can only play what is in front of you.
90 mins: Serbia 0 England 5
Three minutes of added time.
GOAL! Rashford scores from the spot
He stutters in the run-up but slots home, with Petrovic stuck to the spot.
Marcus Rashford makes it FIVE ️
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 9, 2025
PENALTY ENGLAND!
Only one replay is needed for Clement Turpin to change his original decision and give England the penalty. Rashford to take...
It's a PENALTY
England have the chance to make it FIVE in Belgrade pic.twitter.com/jfLS3ovnk2
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 9, 2025
88 mins: Serbia 0 England 4
England break from deep in their own half and they end up in Serbia’s box. Watkins goes to ground and it appears to be a penalty but those appeals are waved away. Erakovic appeared to trip Watkins and surely VAR will intervene.
Referee Clement Turpin is asked to go to the screen and this will surely be given.
85 mins: Serbia 0 England 4
Other than the England fans, who have to remain in their area until a fair bit after full time, there are not many Serbian fans left. They are not happy with the players nor their manager.
83 mins: Serbia 0 England 4
The Serbian fans are demonstrating with their feet what they think of their side’s performance as a lot have upped and left, leaving a lot of empty seats in the closing stages.
82 mins: Serbia 0 England 4
England have the ball in the net once more but the flag goes up. Bowen has acres of space on the left side of the box and he drills the ball to the back post, where Watkins pokes in but he was clearly offside when Bowen played the ball across.
81 mins: Serbia 0 England 4
Rice has what feels like his thousandth shot of the match as Guehi cut the ball back to him but he is denied by a neat save by Petrovic.
Rice’s night is over as J Henderson is coming on in his place.
79 mins: Serbia 0 England 4
Rashford cuts in from the left and fires one towards goal from the edge of the box but Petrovic gets down to his left to make the save.
76 mins: Serbia 0 England 4
Bowen is on for Madueke whilst Watkins has replaced Kane.
GOAL! Guehi adds England’s fourth
England are thrashing Serbia. Rice clips in the subsequent free-kick towards the back post and Guehi slots it home slightly off balance from six yards out.
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
RED CARD! Milenkovic sent off
The Serbia captain is shown a red card. Kane is played in down the left channel and Milenkovic takes him out. It appeared Kane was going away from goal but Milenkovic is deemed to be the last man and denied a goal-scoring opportunity. It feels slightly harsh but VAR stands by the on-field decision of a red card. Serbia’s night goes from bad to even worse.
71 mins: Serbia 0 England 3
The home fans have barely had anything to cheer about this evening but they do cheer when Mitrovic comes on for Vlahovic. Serbia are out of this game so even if Mitrovic came on and had an impact it would be too little too late.
70 mins: Serbia 0 England 3
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
69 mins: Serbia 0 England 3
First two changes of the night from Thomas Tuchel as Rashford and Spence come on for Gordon and James. This is Spence’s senior England debut.
You must be registered for see images attach
Proud moment for Djed Spence - Michael Regan/Getty Images
66 mins: Serbia 0 England 3
Pickford nearly leads Anderson up the garden path and into trouble inside their own box but fortunately all is resolved without any damage being done.
65 mins: Serbia 0 England 3
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
You must be registered for see images attach
Riot police on hand quickly - Marko Djurica/Reuters
63 mins: Serbia 0 England 3
England win the ball very high up the pitch after good work out of possession by Rogers to put Milenkovic under pressure and it ends with Rice shooting from the edge of the box but it is straight at Petrovic. Rice has had a few efforts tonight but he has not really challenged Petrovic.
60 mins: Serbia 0 England 3
Serbia make their third change of the night as Samardzic replaces Ilic.
55 mins: Serbia 0 England 3
You can sense the restlessness from the home fans. England will sense there are more goals to be had in this game.
GOAL! Konsa makes it 3-0
England are sailing towards victory in Belgrade. Gordon’s shot from range can only be parried by Petrovic into the path of Guehi. It bounces off Guehi and rolls towards goal. Maksimovic attempts to clear but misses. Konsa is then on hand to smash the ball home and wheels away in celebration.
VAR does check for a possible offside in the build-up as Gordon shot from distance but it is cleared and England are easing to a win, which will put them in a formidable position to top the group.
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
51 mins: Serbia 0 England 2
Rice has another go from distance but once more the contact is not great and the shot is blocked.
49 mins: Serbia 0 England 2
Rogers lays the ball across the edge of the box to Rice, who takes one touch on the edge of the d and shoots but he drags his effort wide.
47 mins: Serbia 0 England 2
Milenkovic slides in to win the ball from his Nottingham Forest teammate Anderson, who stays down for a little while but is back on his feet.
46 mins: Serbia 0 England 2
Rogers commits an early foul inside his own, giving Serbia the chance to send the free-kick into the England penalty area.
Kostic clips it in but Kane heads away.
Second half
We are back under way in Belgrade. Two changes for Serbia at the break as Kostic and Jovic are on for Birmancevic and Nedeljkovic.
We have now seen images of a few occasions with a laser was used on England players; once when James was taking a free-kick and the second directly at Konsa when he was on the ball.
Madueke’s first senior goal
Everything.
What it means to score your first England goal pic.twitter.com/jELAhro5Bh
— England (@England) September 9, 2025
HT verdict
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Tonight’s World Cup qualifiers
Group D
Azerbaijan 1 Ukraine 1 FT
France 1 Iceland 1 HT
Group F
Armenia 2 Republic of Ireland 1 FT
Hungary 1 Portugal 1 HT
Group H
Bosnia 0 Austria 0 HT
Cyprus 1 Romania 2 HT
Group I
Norway 5 Moldova 0 HT
Group K
Albania 1 Latvia 0 HT
Serbia 0 England 2 HT
HT stats
Possession: Serbia 29%-71% England
Shots: 2-10
Shots on target: 0-5
Corners: 1-3
Touches in opposition box: 2-17
Half-time
Vlahovic shoots from outside the box but his effort goes over Pickford’s bar.
That is it for the first half and England have a two-goal lead at the break courtesy of goals from Kane and Madueke.
Plenty of boos from the home fans as the players walk off.
45 mins: Serbia 0 England 2
There will be one additional minute at the end of this first half.
43 mins: Serbia 0 England 2
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
42 mins: Serbia 0 England 2
Whatever was said over the PA, presumably to warn fans about their behaviour, does not go down well with the home crowd, who make their feelings known by booing pretty vociferously.
40 mins: Serbia 0 England 2
Gordon is into the book for a foul on Nedeljkovic.
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
39 mins: Serbia 0 England 2
Play is halted, potentially due to a laser being pointed at times at England players. We are back under way fairly promptly.
GOAL! Madueke’s first senior goal doubles England’s advantage
England are in firm control of this match now. Madueke owes a lot to Rogers, whose nonchalant flick sent Madueke racing into the box. He gets it onto his left foot and lifts it over Petrovic to give England a two-goal advantage.
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
GOAL! Kane heads England into the lead
Thomas Tuchel’s men are ahead and it is the captain who gets the goal. The pressure has paid off as Rice’s outswinger finds Kane on the penalty spot and the England captain makes no mistake as his header comes off the inside of the post and in.
31 mins: Serbia 0 England 0
James is the one to take it but it hits the wall. That does not tell the whole story though as England had a legitimate shout for handball as the ball did strike the arm.
29 mins: Serbia 0 England 0
England are ramping up the pressure as Gordon has his second chance of the match, this time from the right side of the penalty area that forces Petrovic into a decent save down to his left.
Moments later Lukic is booked for a foul on Kane just outside the Serbia box. Lukic will be suspended for Serbia’s next match. Quite a number of England players fancy this one.
28 mins: Serbia 0 England 0
How have England not taken the lead? Rogers spins a defender and plays Madueke in on the right side of the penalty area. Madueke scuffs his shot and the ball is deflected into the path of Kane, whose toe poke goes agonisingly wide. Kane appeals for a corner but a goal-kick is given.
27 mins: Serbia 0 England 0
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
26 mins: Serbia 0 England 0
Gordon has two Serbian defenders on him but he cuts in between the two of them to drive into the penalty area. He cuts onto his right foot and hits it powerfully but the effort is straight at Petrovic. Good play by Gordon but it lacked the end product.
23 mins: Serbia 0 England 0
James sends in a delivery first time from just outside the penalty area on the right and he picks out Rice at the back post. The header though does not challenge Petrovic. England are struggling at this moment in time to create much and carve out many genuine opportunities.
20 mins: Serbia 0 England 0
Serbia are just starting to get a little bit more possession and gaining in confidence after a very conservative start. England have just been caught napping and gifted away possession on a few occasions.
18 mins: Serbia 0 England 0
Serbia have their first corner of the night on the left after Rice blocked a cross. The hosts take it short before sending it in. It goes past everyone but Serbia keep it alive. It ends up with Nedeljkovic, urged to shoot by the crowd, going from range but it is an easy save for Pickford.
14 mins: Serbia 0 England 0
Anderson gives the ball away inside his own and Serbia move towards the England box. However Livramento gets back to nick the ball away from Vlahovic and the danger is gone.
13 mins: Serbia 0 England 0
This game has begun in exactly the pattern we thought it would; England having most of the ball and Serbia sat in a low block. England need to keep moving the ball quickly and remain patient as the chances will come.
10 mins: Serbia 0 England 0
Good defending from Pavlovic. Konsa lifts a ball into the right channel in behind the Serbian defence to find the run of James. He takes one touch to take him into the box but Pavlovic is across to make the challenge at a crucial moment for his side and put it behind for a corner.
Rice is on corner duties once more and this time puts it into a decent area but Pavlovic is on hand to head away. The AC Milan centre-back has been busy in these last few minutes and done his job well.
6 mins: Serbia 0 England 0
Rice has England’s first shot on target of the night from the edge of the box but it is straight down the throat of Petrovic. He would have wanted to get better contact on that effort and looked to challenge Petrovic more.
4 mins: Serbia 0 England 0
England want a penalty but those appeals are waved away. Madueke pushes the ball past Birmancevic and has too much pace for the Serbian. Madeuke then goes down inside the box whilst jostling with Birmancevic but that is soft and never going to be given. Birmancevic then whips up the crowd; not sure the quality of defending was so good that it warranted that response but each to their own.
3 mins: Serbia 0 England 0
The delivery is not the best and is easily cleared at the front post.
2 mins: Serbia 0 England 0
Madueke is fouled by Birmancevic on the right not far outside the Serbia box, allowing England to send the free-kick into the penalty area.
Rice to take...
Kick-off
Before kick-off, a minute’s silence is held to remember Dobrivoje Tanasijević, known as Dan Tana, who had associations with Red Star Belgrade and Brentford.
We are under way in Belgrade. England could take a giant leap towards World Cup qualification with a win tonight.
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Anthem time
Because the dressing rooms are around a mile away from the pitch – maybe a slight exaggeration – and a tunnel to rival in length the one at The Wanderers in Johannesburg, the players are already lined up and ready to make the long walk to the pitch for the national anthems.
Once the players eventually get to the pitch, Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is on the bench for the hosts tonight, is given a frame celebrating him reaching 100 caps.
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
The thoughts of Jordan Pickford
ITV crew on Tuchel
Will the home fans come out in force?
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Thomas Tuchel speaking to ITV
"I LOVE the job"
"I'm very happy I took the challenge"
Thomas Tuchel speaks to Gabriel Clarke about his start to life as #ThreeLions manager ️ pic.twitter.com/IJGkGOxjV3
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 9, 2025
No room for racism
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
England gearing up
Serbia’s qualifying campaign so far:
June 7, 2025: Albania 0 Serbia 0
June 10, 2025: Serbia 3 Andorra 0
September 6, 2025: Latvia 0 Serbia 1
The thoughts of Serbian boss Dragan Stojković
England’s qualifying campaign so far
March 21, 2025: England 2 Albania 0
March 24, 2025: England 3 Latvia 0
June 7, 2025: Andorra 0 England 1
September 6, 2025: England 2 Andorra 0
Just over a year ago
These sides met in Gelsenkirchen during the group stages of the 2024 European Championship. Jude Bellingham, who is missing during this international break due to injury, scored the only goal inside the opening quarter of an hour to lead Gareth Southgate’s men to victory. Here is how England and Serbia lined up that day:
England starting XI: Pickford, Trippier, Guehi, Stones, Walker, Rice, Alexander-Arnold, Foden, Bellingham, Saka, Kane.
Serbia starting XI: Rajkovic, Pavlovic, Milenkovic, Veljkovic, Kostic, Gudelj, Lukic, Zivkovic, Milinkovic-Savic, Vlahovic, Mitrovic.
You must be registered for see images attach
Jude Bellingham’s goal was the difference the last time these sides met - Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Rogers into the England starting XI
View from the ground
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Take a walk!
Tonight’s World Cup qualifiers
Group D
Azerbaijan 1 Ukraine 1 FT
France vs Iceland
Group F
Armenia 2 Republic of Ireland 1 FT
Hungary vs Portugal
Group H
Bosnia vs Austria
Cyprus vs Romania
Group I
Norway vs Moldova
Group K
Albania vs Latvia
Serbia vs England
England in the house
Group K standings
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Teams in full
Serbia Petrovic, Nedeljkovic, Pavlovic, Milenkovic, Erakovic, Zivkovic, Ilic, Maksimovic, Lukic, Birmancevic, Vlahovic.
Substitutes Babic, Gudelj, Ilic, Jovic, Katai, Kostic, Mitrovic, Racic, Rosic, Samardzic, Veljkovic, Stulic.
England Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, Livramento; Anderson, Rice, Rogers; Madueke, Kane, Gordon.
Substitutes D.Henderson, Trafford, Quansah, J.Henderson, Eze, Rashford, Burn, Spence, Gibbs-White, Loftus-Cheek, Watkins, Bowen.
Fans being treated to a bit of Bon Jovi!
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Hostile evening in store?
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Inside the visitors’ dressing room
Thomas Tuchel speaking to ITV
England team
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Gordon poised to start against Serbia
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
England forward Anthony Gordon is in line to start his first World Cup qualifier under Thomas Tuchel tonight.
Tuchel has been looking at tweaking his attack from the laboured win over Andorra at the weekend, with Gordon in his plans.
Arsenal full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly is not in the matchday squad for the Group K clash, as Tuchel must name a maximum of 23 players to Uefa for the fixture and one player has to miss out.
Tino Livramento has been pushing to start at full-back, while Ezri Konsa is expected to return to the back line after coming off the bench at Villa Park against Andorra. Morgan Rogers could also start, with the Aston Villa midfielder used as Tuchel’s first change at the weekend.
Gordon, 24, has so far come off the bench in three qualifiers under Tuchel and he also started in the friendly defeat by Senegal in June.
He was frustrated at the European Championship finals last year when he only made one substitute appearance, coming on in the 89th minute against Slovenia in the group stages. But he then started five Uefa Nations League matches under Lee Carsley and scored in the 5-0 win over Republic of Ireland.
Tuchel, on the eve of the Serbia fixture, insisted he was ready to pick young players in a bear-pit atmosphere in Serbia’s capital.
“They are not afraid of anything,” said Tuchel. “We are ready to go, we have seen a little bit of my team already and of course we want to take steps and it is necessary we take steps in this game and I think we will, because we will face an opponent who wants to beat us and is not just afraid to lose.
“I’ll always see it like this, these games are an opportunity and I think it will bring out the best in us that we are here in Belgrade.”
Tuchel: Hostile atmosphere will help my ‘fearless’ players
b'
You must be registered for see images attach
'
Thomas Tuchel expects the intimidating hostility of Rajko Mitic Stadium to bring the best out of his ‘fearless’ England players when they face Serbia tonight.
With players braced for a bear-pit atmosphere, Tuchel has backed them to cope with the crowd in Belgrade after labouring past Andorra in their last two qualifiers.
“They are not afraid of anything,” said Tuchel. “We are ready to go, we have seen a little bit of my team already and of course we want to take steps and it is necessary we take steps in this game and I think we will, because we will face an opponent who wants to beat us and is not just afraid to lose.
“I’ll always see it like this, these games are an opportunity and I think it will bring out the best in us that we are here in Belgrade.”
Tuchel is ready to stick with Elliot Anderson in midfield after his impressive debut against Andorra at the weekend, while Marc Guehi has been passed fit after picking up a groin problem in that win.
Meanwhile, England captain Harry Kane confirmed the players are prepared – in keeping with Uefa protocols – to leave the pitch if they encounter persistent racist abuse.
Football Association officials have given a presentation to the squad about the potential of racism in the 51,755-capacity stadium. In 2012, Danny Rose, playing for England Under-21s, was racially abused and his team-mates were attacked by fans during a Euro 2013 qualifier.
In the event of racial abuse from the stands, warnings will come on the loudspeaker and players can leave the pitch if the chants persist.
Kane said: “We’ve had a similar situation in Bulgaria [in 2019]. Uefa have the protocols in place for us to follow. We know the steps, we know the situation. The ref and the Uefa people there will take care of that.”
Tuchel visited the stadium on the eve of the game and feels the running track between fans and the pitch could limit the impact of the crowd.
“The tunnel is not so agreeable,” he said “But that’s what it’s all about now. It’s nice, you’re in this country, this sporting nation, full of emotional people, full of quality in every sport – especially in sports that have a ball.
“That’s the beauty of it and if you want to go to a World Cup and to play for the national team, experiencing this is the beauty. This is one of these nights. Lights are on. Big crowd and an emotional sporting country. And we’re up for it.”
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Continue reading...
