The England National Football Team faces Latvia at Daugava Stadium in Riga for the eighth round of the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The match, which started at 3:45 PM Brasília time on Tuesday, shows a 2-0 scoreline for England at 47 minutes of the first half. The lead comes from goals by Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane, reinforcing the unbeaten campaign of Thomas Tuchel’s team.
Harry Kane, the team’s top scorer, attempts to add to his tally but faces strong saves from the Latvian goalkeeper. The game remains ongoing, with England pressing for early qualification to the World Cup. Latvia, fourth in Group K, accumulates yellow cards and struggles against the opponent’s dominance.
England enters the match with 15 points in five games, while Latvia has only five points in seven matches. An English victory secures 18 points and a World Cup spot, regardless of other results.
- England: 15 points, unbeaten, rested in the previous round.
- Latvia: 5 points, no chance of qualification.
- Albania, second-placed: 11 points in six games.
Key moments timeline in the first half
The match began with English dominance, and key moments shaped the scoreline up to 47 minutes. The ball is rolling at Daugava Stadium, and the game continues without significant interruptions.
At 6 minutes, Harry Kane shoots inside the box, but the ball goes over the Latvian goal. Elliot Anderson tries a shot shortly after, but the defense blocks it.
At 25 minutes, Anthony Gordon opens the scoring with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box, capitalizing on an individual move. The goal puts England ahead and increases pressure on the opposing defense.
At 30 minutes, left-back Ciganiks receives a yellow card for a committed foul. Two minutes earlier, striker Gutkovskis shoots, but the English defense clears the danger.
At 42 minutes, Harry Kane extends the lead after a Latvian ball-playing error, advancing and finishing with his left foot into the corner. The striker celebrates the goal that solidifies the advantage.
Starting lineups of the teams
Thomas Tuchel fielded England in a 4-2-3-1 formation, prioritizing a creative midfield and fast attack. Pickford is in goal, with a defense of Spence, Stones, Konsa, and Lewis-Skelly. In midfield, Rice and Elliot Anderson anchor, while Saka, Morgan Rogers, and Gordon support Harry Kane up top.
Latvia, under Paolo Nicolato, adopts a 5-4-1 to strengthen their defense. Zviedris guards the goal, followed by a five-man defensive line: Jurkovskis, Veips, Cernomordijs, Balodis, and Ciganiks. In midfield, Zelenkovs, Varslavans, Vapne, and Ikaunieks feed striker Gutkovskis.
England’s bench includes goalkeeper Dean Henderson and forwards like Rashford and Bowen. For Latvia, options like Orols and Grabovskis wait in reserve.
The English tactical setup allows for quick transitions, while Latvia seeks sporadic counterattacks. Ball possession has favored the visitors since the opening whistle.
English dominance and shot attempts
England controls the tempo from the start, averaging 4.4 shots per game in the qualifiers. Harry Kane tests the Latvian goalkeeper at 38 minutes but misses the target narrowly. Gordon, who scored the first goal, tries again at 36 minutes without success.
Elliot Anderson shoots at 41 minutes, sending the ball wide. Saka, at 13 minutes, also misses high in a chance that could have changed the score early. The English defense, with Konsa standing out at 27 minutes, blocks a Latvian advance by Gutkovskis.
Fouls mark the game: Spence at 18 minutes, Lewis-Skelly at 16, and on the Latvian side, Veips at 8 and Ikaunieks at 2 minutes. Latvia averages 0.3 yellow cards per game and has already received two in this match.
At 44 minutes, Kane heads on target, but Zviedris saves confidently. The first half progresses with relentless English pressure, seeking more goals before the break.
Cards and fouls in the match
Fouls occur on both sides, reflecting the game’s intensity. Latvian defender Balodis receives a yellow card at 39 minutes for a hard foul. Varslavans commits a foul at 37 minutes, without a card.
Latvian striker Gutkovskis is booked at 23 minutes. Ciganiks had already been cautioned at 30 minutes, weakening Latvia’s left flank.
Latvian pressure and English defenses
Latvia attempts to respond with few clear chances. At 27 minutes, Gutkovskis shoots after a pass, but Konsa clears at the right moment. Lewis-Skelly blocks a shot at 12 minutes, keeping the opposition scoreless.
Latvian goalkeeper Zviedris faces a higher volume of play, with England averaging 0.3 corners per match. The game remains open, with England leading at 47 minutes.
