Harry Kane remarked that England “did what they needed to do” after defeating Czechia 2-0 in the Nations League, despite the hosts playing with just ten men.
Following a disappointing loss to Spain, England secured their first victory of this season at Fortuna Arena.
Pavel Sulc was shown a red card for a late tackle on Elliot Anderson after just 25 minutes, allowing England to take full advantage in the second half. Both Kane and Anthony Gordon scored, continuing their scoring streak.
Kane has now scored four goals in six Nations League matches this season.
Even though Thomas Tuchel mentioned before the game that it wasn’t a “must-win” match, there was still pressure on England, and Kane was pleased with the result.
“Job done, it was a professional performance,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “It wasn’t the most thrilling match, but we accomplished what we set out to do. We won, kept a clean sheet, and can build on this for the next game.”
“When a defensive team loses a player, it can become more challenging. Patience is essential, and as they tire, spaces begin to open up.”
An important #NationsLeague win! #ThreeLions | @chase_uk pic.twitter.com/LZOa7Uzcsx
— England (@England) September 29, 2026
Gordon was instrumental in the win, scoring the first goal; he now has four goals and four assists in his last nine caps.
He’s the second player from Barcelona, after Gary Lineker in 1989, to score in consecutive matches for England.
“He’s proving he belongs at the highest level with both Barcelona and England,” Kane said of him. “His recent performances have been among his best in an England shirt, and he seems to thrive on wearing it and being a key player.”
“He’s vital for us and demonstrated that during the World Cup.”
Before this match, England had conceded 13 goals in their previous six games, so achieving a clean sheet was definitely a priority.
Next up in Group A3, England heads to Croatia, who are also sitting on three points after a mixed performance, including a heavy loss to Spain. However, Tuchel was tight-lipped about potential lineup changes.
“I can’t disclose that,” he said when asked about possible team adjustments. “We have three days to prepare, which is much better than playing two games back-to-back.”
“We chose to stay in Prague for another night to rest and then travel to Croatia for two training sessions. We’ll do our best to have everyone available, including Nico O’Reilly and Ezri Konsa, and then we’ll know more. The next match is crucial against a direct rival, and we aim to win.”
On the match itself, Tuchel noted: “We played a solid second half. We increased our urgency, improved ball speed, and deserved to win the second half. The red card made us the clear favorites, and a clean sheet is always a positive—it boosts everyone’s morale. There’s still room for improvement, but overall, it was a serious performance and a well-earned win.”
### Fan Take:
This victory is critical for England as it revitalizes their momentum after previous setbacks, boosting their confidence heading into future matches. For soccer fans, this highlights the team’s resilience and potential to perform at high stakes, which is essential as they prepare for upcoming competitions.
Source: www.soccernews.com
