England beat Andorra in underwhelming World Cup qualifier: Live updates and reaction

New York Times

4 hours ago

England maintained their perfect start to 2026 World Cup qualification but failed to impress in a dull 1-0 victory over Andorra in Barcelona Getty Images
A second-half Harry Kane goal saved a desperately disappointing England's blushes against a stubborn Andorra side.
The 1-0 victory preserved England's perfect start to World Cup qualifying as Thomas Tuchel became the first manager in the nation's history to win his first three games in charge without conceding a goal.
But England were dull and lethargic against Andorra, who are ranked 173rd in the world by FIFA, and they were jeered off at the half-time break.
England are next in action against Senegal in Nottingham on Tuesday.
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Andorra 0 England 1 – Tuchel's men largely underwhelming, might they regret narrow win? Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Getty Images
That was Harry Kane's 450th career goal for club and country, in his 697th game.
He has scored 5 of those goals for Leyton Orient, 9 for Millwall, 2 for Leicester City, 280 for Tottenham Hotspur, 82 for Bayern Munich and 72 for England. Getty Images
51' Andorra 0-1 England
Who else? England's skipper gets his 72nd international goal.
It's a touch unfortunate for Andorra's goalkeeper Alvarez, who has been having a good game. Jones plays a wonderful slide-rule pass from the right which Kane runs onto, but the goalkeeper gets behind it, parrying the ball away.
It falls to Madueke on the left who shapes as if to shoot, but instead pulls it back for Kane. The ball skips past the despairing Alvarez for Kane to smash into the roof of the net from just inside the six-yard box. Getty Images
50' Andorra 0-1 England
Finally! Harry Kane gets England off the mark.
46' Andorra 0-0 England
Chance for Andorra! Jones plays a sloppy ball to Konsa and Ricard Fernandez pounces, stealing possession and shooting from the edge of the box.
He slashes his shot well wide but that should ring alarm bells for Tuchel, who is yet to make a change.
We're back underway in Barcelona. Buckle up, ladies and gentlemen. The Athletic
John P: 'Same old England. So much aimless passing and zero incision. Time for Eze and Alexander-Arnold.'
Greg P: 'How can Tuchel spend the whole week talking about England playing with pace and then send them out there like that? Either the players aren't listening or they can't be bothered at the end of a long season.'
Myles H: 'The formula for an England World Cup qualifier: boring first half. Absolute headloss online. Harry Kane to score twice in the second half. Lots of grumbling at FT. Then we all move on and forget this ever happened.'
Remember: you can get involved by emailing [e-mail]. Getty Images Possession: Andorra 17%-83% England
Shots: Andorra 1-10 England
Shots on target: Andorra 0-4 England
Corners: Andorra 0-8 England
Fouls: Andorra 5-6 England Getty Images
An uninspiring first half performance from England — and they are booed off the pitch by their supporters for good measure. There was little intensity to their build-up play, they were sloppy on the ball and failed to properly test an Andorra team that were more than happy to sit deep and let England have the majority of the ball. There was half a chance for Harry Kane to open the scoring in the 19th minute, but little else beyond that. Significant improvements needed in the second half if England are going to — and they should — get on the scoresheet. Watching BBC Parliament
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HT: Andorra 0-0 England
England end the half with a good opportunity, but Bellingham nods Madueke's cross straight at Alvarez.
And that's that. England are booed off.
43' Andorra 0-0 England
Jude Bellingham is dropping deeper and deeper in an attempt to get something going for England. This is pretty turgid stuff.
He collects the ball just inside Andorra's half and lofts a ball over the top of their defence, inviting Cole Palmer to run forward. It's a neat idea, but Alvarez gets to the ball first.
39' Andorra 0-0 England
England are repeatedly pumping crosses into Andorra's box but their five-man defence is holding up well. First Reece James' lofted cross is nodded away. And then Jude Bellingham's low drive into the box is repelled.
England need to get their foot on the ball. And they almost break through when Rogers waltzes around a couple of crosses and gets himself into a dangerous position. But, just as he's about to pull the trigger in the box, Christian Garcia gets his body in the way.
34' Andorra 0-0 England
Jude Bellingham grows bored and smashes another one towards goal from distance.
Same result as the first: he strikes it well but directly into the grateful arms of Alvarez. Getty Images
Just over 30 minutes have been played and it has to be said that England have been pretty woeful. There is no intensity to their build-up play, with Andorra more than happy to sit incredibly deep. In the build up to the match, Tuchel spoke about trying new things to beat a team that puts every player behind the ball. If the first 30 minutes are anything to go by, it's back to the drawing board for the England manager. Getty Images
32' Andorra 0-0 England
England have completed 240 passes. Andorra have managed 32.
Madueke pops up with England's 241st, after a neat give and go with Rogers. He digs a cross into Andorra's box looking for Harry Kane but there are so many defenders stationed there and the ball is cleared.
There's then a second penalty check after Bellingham trips in the box, but like the first, it doesn't lead to anything.
30' Andorra 0-0 England
Jude Bellingham gets a bit of a telling off from the referee for making one too many comments about his decisions. Bellingham needs to be careful. One more yellow and he will miss England's next qualifier.
With little action on the pitch to shout home about, England's travelling supporters have started taking aim at Keir Starmer, the United Kingdom's prime minister. 'Keir Starmer is a w***r' is being sung.
24' Andorra 0-0 England
Clumsy from Dan Burn, who catches Ricard Fernandez on the Achilles to end a rare Andorra attack.
This is a good chance for the nominal home side, around thirty yards out on the right. But Cervos' delivery is poor and easily cleared by Bellingham.
The ball falls to Borra and his eyes light up … but he slashes an ambitious shot well over the bar.