Reece James shines with first England goal in World Cup qualifier
- Reece James scored a remarkable free-kick, marking his first international goal and start in nearly three years.
- England secured a 3-0 victory over Latvia, enhancing their standing in the World Cup qualifying group.
- Despite the win, England's performance raised concerns about their overall quality and consistency moving forward.
On March 25, 2025, at Wembley Stadium in London, England faced Latvia in a World Cup qualifying match. England managed to secure a 3-0 victory, with Reece James opening the scoring with a brilliant free-kick just before halftime. This goal marked James' first for the England national team and came during his first start in over two and a half years, following a prolonged period of injuries that had significantly stalled his career. The win ultimately showcased the progress the team is making under new head coach Thomas Tuchel, who praised James' quality and performance during the match. Despite the clear scoreline, the game was largely characterized by a lackluster performance from England. Latvia, ranked 140th in the FIFA rankings, presented a tough challenge and displayed strong organization and resilience throughout the match. England struggled to break down Latvia's defense and appeared anxious, leading to a somewhat underwhelming display. However, once James scored with an impressive free-kick, the team gained momentum and confidence, allowing Harry Kane and Eberechi Eze to add two more goals in the latter part of the game. As England moved to the top of Group K with this win, Tuchel expressed satisfaction with his players' efforts but acknowledged there is still room for improvement. He emphasized the importance of creating more goal opportunities and being more proactive on the pitch. Additionally, Kane expressed optimism about the team's evolving style of play under Tuchel, highlighting the emerging patterns and increased communication among teammates. Reece James reflected on his journey back to the national team, sharing his joy over scoring in a match after dealing with various injuries for a significant amount of time. He stated that having the opportunity to play for his country means a lot to him, especially given the challenges he faced in recent seasons. Both James and Tuchel signaled the potential for further development as the England team prepares for the upcoming international break, with the hope of building on their success in future matches.