Harry Kane scored his 450th senior goal as England maintained their 100 per cent record in World Cup qualifying with an uninspiring win against Andorra.
The Three Lions had 83 per cent possession against limited opposition whose sole intention was to frustrate and limit the damage and it was a tactic that worked for long spells with England short of invention and trickery.
Andorra were well organised and defended with determination during a goalless first half that ended with boos from the England fans inside the RCDE Stadium – the home of Espanyol.
But Kane made the breakthrough four minutes into the second half after good work from England’s stand-out player, Noni Madueke.
A 1-0 win for the #ThreeLions in Barcelona 👊 pic.twitter.com/CaUKyBvZKN
— England (@England) June 7, 2025
Tuchel’s team selection fails to inspire
Having selected just three recognised defenders in his starting XI, it was clear boss Thomas Tuchel expected England to dominate the ball against Andorra’s low block, and so it proved.
Jude Bellingham saw a snapshot saved by home goalkeeper Iker Alvarez inside the opening minute but if the large England contingent expected an onslaught it did not materialise.
Madueke saw an effort palmed clear by Alvarez after 13 minutes before England wasted an excellent opportunity five minutes later.
Madueke found some space down the left and his cross picked out Kane only for the ball to go through the England captain’s legs.
Curtis Jones recycled it and pulled it back for Kane but his shot was wide.
Bellingham had two more half chances before the break, the first another long-range effort that Alvarez saved with ease and a glancing header in first-half injury time that flew into the goalkeeper’s arms.
Boos at half-time
England’s fans made their frustrations clear at the break but they were cheering shortly after the restart, and it was no surprise that Madueke was involved. Jones’ clever pass to Kane resulted in Alvarez saving the England captain’s effort but Chelsea winger Madueke picked up the loose ball and centred for Kane to fire into the roof of the net.
450 – Harry Kane’s opener was his 450th senior career goal in all competitions for club and country. Heap. pic.twitter.com/HKFlPqNoej
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 7, 2025
That could have opened the floodgates but, to their credit, Andorra refused to buckle.
Madueke cut in and saw a low shot saved by Alvarez before the goalkeeper – the son of Andorra coach Koldo Alvarez – produced a brilliant stop to tip over substitute Eberechi Eze’s close-range header.
England ought to have added a second deep into injury time but, following a swift break, Anthony Gordon failed to touch home Morgan Gibbs-White’s cross and Madueke somehow was not able to slot home in front of an open goal.
