In the lead-up to the World Cup, England offers Thomas Tuchel few answers and many questions
The English national team delivered a lackluster and unconvincing performance in their preparation for the World Cup, leaving coach Thomas Tuchel with few certainties and many doubts to address. On one hand, Harry Kane once again showed why he is the team’s top scorer—having netted another goal, his 61st this season with Bayern Munich and the 79th for England, in the victory against New Zealand in Florida—while on the other hand, the match revealed little in the way of clear indications regarding who might be a starter in the opening game against Croatia.
A total of 22 players were used, including 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who made his international debut. However, his presence at the World Cup seems unlikely, barring any unexpected injuries to the squad. Few players truly enhanced their chances of making the starting lineup, and only Marcus Rashford managed to leave a somewhat positive impression—the forward stood out as the most dynamic, leading a quick move down the left flank that nearly resulted in a goal from Kane. Rashford shot twice in a minute, although failing to hit the target, but his performance was enough to provide some encouragement to fans and to Tuchel.
Rashford arrived in Florida earlier to regain his best physical condition, training at Inter Miami with a personal trainer. After missing Euro 2024 and not being called up for the final stage, the England international is now in a delicate position, especially as FC Barcelona opted to sign Anthony Gordon instead of him. This situation could reverse the hierarchy in Tuchel’s selections, with Rashford gaining ground in the battle for the left-wing position, one of the most open sectors in the English lineup. Gordon came on in the second half after nearly two months without playing, but did not have the same impact as the Manchester United forward. Perhaps the next game against Costa Rica will be the opportunity for Gordon to regain confidence and showcase his value.
The only truly consistent offensive spark was once again provided by Kane, who continues to cement his status among the best international scorers, currently sitting in 10th place, tied with Neymar, with nine players ahead of him on the all-time list. The Tottenham forward’s goal came from a perfect cross by Djed Spence, known more for his defensive ability and physical strength than for his technique, but who seems to be revealing new facets of his game.
Overall, this friendly match left more questions than answers for Tuchel, who will need to quickly decide who will be his choice for the crucial clash against Croatia in Dallas. England needs more than a fit goalscorer; they require a cohesive and inspired team to dream of World Cup glory. Until then, time is running out and uncertainties remain.
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