England’s winners and losers after their opening two World Cup 2026 qualifiers: From the player scoring his first Three Lions goal, to the stars criticised by head coach Thomas Tuchel

England’s opening two 2026 World Cup qualifiers have now concluded, and for head coach Thomas Tuchel, it’s time for some reflection.

The German oversaw two comfortable wins at Wembley with a 2-0 triumph over Albania on Friday night followed by a 3-0 victory against Latvia on Monday night.

Speaking after both matches Tuchel gave mixed summaries – analysing what he was pleased with and where he felt there was room for improvement.

‘It is good, because I learn about my team and my team learn about me,’ he said. ‘We will get there.’

The 51-year-old has plenty of food for thought for now until June 7 when England travel to Andorra for their next qualifier before hosting Senegal three days later in a friendly.

And following the Three Lions’ March matches, Mail Sport has taken a look at the winners and losers from those two games.

WINNERS

Eberechi Eze

Monday’s match against Latvia will be a night that Eze will never forget after scoring his first-ever England goal. Netting a fine individual solo effort, his 30-odd-minute cameo is what Tuchel demands of his wide men. 

Direct running at his full back with an end product, the Crystal Palace playmaker will have boosted his chances of more playing time after being an unused substitute against Albania.

Reece James

Eze’s goal would have been the standout one on Monday if it wasn’t for James’ stunning free-kick for his maiden Three Lions strike too. The 25-year-old made his first England start since September 2022 and re-announced himself on this stage with a sublime set-piece that flew into the top corner. Tuchel and James relationship goes back to their time at Chelsea – where they won the Champions League together in 2021 – and that bond is evidently still strong.

‘Reece’s quality is at the highest level,’ said Tuchel afterwards. ‘We were in close contact in the last weeks. We knew he was in good shape and a good space mentally. That’s what he proved. He was very positive throughout the camp.’

If he can maintain fitness, then Tuchel – who isn’t short of right-back quality – has someone he can trust.

Ezri Konsa

Two clean sheets alongside two different central-defensive partners, Konsa did what was asked of him with aplomb and was unfortunate to score too. He was calm in possession and his versatility is another plus point to skillset. 

He’s had to bide his time for regular action at international level but staked his case in this international window.

Myles Lewis-Skelly

What a season this young man is having. At just 18 years old, his age bellies belief as his stock continues to soar. Handed his England debut on Friday and marked that with the opening goal of the Tuchel era, before winning the free-kick that James rifled home just days later. 

Showed his tactical nous with overlapping runs when width was needed and also by playing as an inverted left-back to retain and recycle possession.

Without doubt the biggest winner from this camp.

Bukayo Saka

Wasn’t in the squad due to injury, but his absence would have been felt by Tuchel more than any other player he couldn’t select. They haven’t worked together before but the Arsenal star is everything that Tuchel wants in his wide men. Direct running and with an end product, he is the leading winger in this Three Lions squad. 

Will be an automatic starter when fit in a side that looked pedestrian at times against opponents who deployed the low block.

LOSERS

Jarrod Bowen

This is the harshest of the ‘losers’ and especially considering England won both of their matches with ease. 

In truth, Bowen did not do a lot wrong in Monday’s starting berth on the right wing against Latvia. He shot off target a couple of times but created a handful of chances on the right where he was unfortunate to yield an assist from. However, it would be fair to say he did not set the world alight too, and Tuchel was vocal in wanting more from his wingers on Friday night. 

With Saka and Cole Palmer injured, Bowen may look back on this as a potential missed opportunity to show Tuchel’s his wonderful West Ham skillset.

Phil Foden

Constant criticism of the Manchester City star is that he is still yet to replicate his stellar club form on the international stage. That was the case once more on Friday night when he started on the right wing against Albania. Speaking about Foden and Marcus Rashford’s, more on him later, performances post-match Tuchel was not afraid to express his disappointment.

‘We hope for more impact in these positions,’ he said of the pair. ‘More dribbling and more aggressive runs towards the box. In general that was missing. The chances come from the little runs behind the line. They were not as decisive as they can be.’

Foden did make a meaningful impact against Latvia with the assist for Eze’s goal. For such a prodigious talent though, this should be a regular occurrence.

Morgan Gibbs-White

His initial non-selection in the England squad raised many an eyebrow as he currently enjoys such a sublime season at Nottingham Forest. 

Only called-up after Palmer’s withdrawal but was omitted from the matchday squad against Albania and then an unused substitute against Latvia.

It’s clear Gibbs-White will have to go beyond the levels he’s reached this season to force his way into Tuchel’s plans with Jude Bellingham, Curtis Jones, Morgan Rogers and Eze appearing to block his path.

Marcus Rashford

Like Foden, he came under criticism from Tuchel after the Albania match (see the Foden section earlier). Was perhaps lucky to start against Latvia following Anthony Gordon’s withdrawal due to injury.

Saw a lot of the ball against Latvia on the left flank but was unable to create a chance of note. He put 11 crosses into the box against Latvia, and created six chances – but many of the former were poor deliveries. He lost the ball 36 times across both matches – far more than anyone else and that will have to be sharpened up at this level.

Dominic Solanke

One of only two out-and-out strikers in the England squad by Thomas Tuchel but didn’t see a minute of action in either match.

It’s clear that Harry Kane is the undisputed No 9, but Solanke would have been disappointed to not be able to showcase any of his skillset in either match.

With Ollie Watkins missing this international window due to injury, Solanke is likely to be pushed further down the pecking order when he returns.