It was the night when England confirmed the inevitable. Thomas Tuchel and his players are going to the World Cup finals tournament next summer as the winners of qualifying Group K, their progress serene, their record – with two ties still to tick off next moth – without blemish.
The serious business awaits, the only frisson of jeopardy here provided by the England fans, who sought to make a few points to Tuchel during the first half after his criticism of the Wembley crowd in the 3-0 friendly victory against Wales last Thursday. He had complained about them being too quiet.
It was another commanding performance from Tuchel’s team, albeit against lowly opposition who seemed to appreciate that they had zero chance. Anthony Gordon opened the scoring then Harry Kane added two more before the interval to take his England tally to 76.
It was only ever going to be a question of how many. And whether England could record their sixth clean sheet in six qualifying victories. They could, which meant a ninth in succession for the goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford; an extension of his England record. Once again, he had precious little thrown at him.
England’s fourth goal dribbled in apologetically off Maksims Tonisevs, on as a Latvia substitute, while another replacement, Eberechi Eze, added the fifth. England can only beat what is in front of them. They have done so. With increasing assurance.
