Kane Saves England Again as Tuchel’s Men Labour to Narrow Win Over Andorra

Harry Kane was once again the difference-maker as England edged out a stubborn Andorra side 1–0 in a lacklustre World Cup qualifier at the RCDE Stadium. Despite the gulf in rankings between the two teams, it was far from a convincing performance from the Three Lions, who were left frustrated for long spells against a well-organised Andorran defense.

Kane’s goal arrived five minutes into the second half, capitalising on a rebound after his initial shot was blocked. The opportunity came from a dangerous low cross by Noni Madueke, one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise subdued attacking performance.

The goal—Kane’s 72nd for his country—was enough to secure the win, though it did little to lift the mood among supporters or silence growing concerns around England’s attacking form.

Thomas Tuchel made several changes to the starting lineup, including deploying Curtis Jones in an unfamiliar hybrid role, but the tactical tweaks offered limited effectiveness. England enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, hovering around 80 percent, yet failed to create many meaningful chances. Andorra, ranked 173rd in the world, showed resilience and even came close to a late equaliser through substitute Guillaume López, whose shot was heroically blocked by Ezri Konsa.

The performance was met with boos from the stands at both half-time and full-time. Tuchel didn’t mince words afterward, admitting he was unhappy with the team’s attitude and intensity.

“We played with fire. There was no urgency, no quality, and no energy. I didn’t like the attitude,” he said.

Pundits echoed those concerns, with former England captain Roy Keane sharply criticising the players’ mindset. “I was really disappointed with their attitude. When they scored, they looked like they thought the job was done.”

Despite the underwhelming display, England’s win means they remain top of Group K with three wins from three matches and no goals conceded. Still, with sterner tests ahead, Tuchel knows performances must improve if his side are to be seen as serious contenders for the 2026 World Cup.