England warmed up for next week's World Cup qualifier away at Latvia with a 3-0 thrashing of rivals Wales in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Thursday night. Thomas Tuchel had the perfect response to any critics who have taken aim at his team's style of play or his squad selection, with the Three Lions quickly racing into an unassailable lead and flexing their strength at picking holes in deep blocks.
England began their bombardment on Wales' goal inside the opening two minutes, with Anthony Gordon wriggling his way into the six-yard box and forcing Karl Darlow into a stretching save with his toe. From almost the same spot as the Newcastle winger's shot, the Three Lions scored from the resulting corner as Marc Guehi stretched to keep a loose header by John Stones from going out of play, and Morgan Rogers was on hand to sweep home.
Only 11 minutes were on the clock by the time the hosts had doubled their advantage. Wales failed to deal with a succession of England corners, which ended up with Rogers lobbing a cross through the corridor of uncertainty off the glancing head of Guehi and into Ollie Watkins, who was able to convert with ease at the far post.
Midway through the first half, Tuchel's men had their third. The visitors were forced back by a series of relentless England attacks, which eventually saw Declan Rice switch play wide to Ezri Konsa, who in turn fizzed the ball into Bukayo Saka. The Arsenal attacker trapped a fast ball dead with his weaker right foot before cutting inside and brilliantly finding the top corner on his left.
Though Watkins managed to score from a couple of yards out for England's second goal, he was unable to do the same just before the break when he slid across to meet Elliot Anderson's delicious ball in, instead skewing his strike over and painfully colliding with the post.
Six minutes after half-time, Rogers rattled the crossbar after a well-worked short corner saw Saka pick out the Aston Villa midfielder in an open pocket of space well inside the Wales box, while Jordan Pickford was tested for the first time when David Brooks struck a low volley at the goalkeeper's legs having met a deep Neco Williams cross.
The tempo of what was a manic game early on slowed down drastically as a sell-out crowd made its way for the exits well before the 90 minutes were even up, with the Three Lions having to settle for just the three goals. GOAL rates England's players from Wembley…
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Jordan Pickford (6/10):
A spectator for the most part such was England's dominance, but did have to be sharp to keep out Williams shortly before the hour mark. Occasionally got involved in the build up, though even this was rare given the hosts camped inside the Wales half for much of the evening.
Ezri Konsa (6/10):
England have plenty of world-class options at right-back when everyone is fit and healthy, but injuries allowed Konsa a chance to show off his versatility here. Comfortable for the most part and got the assist for Saka, but losing track of Brooks for Wales' first major chance was a slight blemish on his record.
John Stones (7/10):
The Manchester City centre-back claimed earlier this week he considered retiring last season due to his injury problems, and there was even a brief scare here when he required treatment in the second half. Nevertheless, Stones showed his proficiency as his country's finest ball-playing defender, regularly roaming into midfield with the ball at his feet. Subbed for Lewis-Skelly late on.
Marc Guehi (8/10):
There's a reason why the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are hot on the tail of Guehi, even besides his expiring Crystal Palace contract. A huge presence at both ends of the pitch, notably assisting England's first two goals of the night.
Djed Spence (7/10):
Made his first start for England having come off the bench for his debut against Serbia last month. Linked up well with Gordon and Rashford down the left, underlapping and overlapping when necessary to carve Wales open. Enjoyed locking up his Tottenham team-mate Brennan Johnson.
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Declan Rice (7/10):
Captain for the evening with Harry Kane only fit enough to make the bench. Tested Wales all match with his wicked set-piece deliveries and was incredibly energetic in the press. Understandably looked a cut above anyone in red. Substituted for Loftus-Cheek.
Elliot Anderson (7/10):
Another strong outing for the Nottingham Forest man in the centre of the park, keeping play ticking and knowing when to spray passes longer against a deep Wales block. Taken off for Henderson.
Morgan Rogers (8/10):
Rogers' first goal for the season has come for his country rather than his club. Powered his way from midfield into attack and looks right at home in Tuchel's setup. Subbed for namesake Gibbs-White.
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Bukayo Saka (8/10):
The two-time England Men's Player of the Year showed his worth to his country once again with a show-stopping performance. His rocket of a strike was the pick of the goals. Now Arsenal's highest-scoring Englishman with 13 goals, surpassing Cliff Bastin's tally of 12. Afforded a rest by coming off for Bowen.
Ollie Watkins (7/10):
An up-and-down 45 minutes on the pitch. Scored once from point-blank range, though had to take a touch before finishing, and then missed a sitter from an almost identical position, which led to him crashing into the post and eventually coming off at the break with a knock.
Anthony Gordon (6/10):
Had poor Williams on toast in the first half, before Watkins' substitution led to the Newcastle star moving into the No.9 role, which yielded little gain and saw Tuchel swap him back to the wing for the closing stages.
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Marcus Rashford (5/10):
Came on at half-time for the injured Watkins, initially playing on the left with Gordon moving into the centre-forward role before they swapped positions. Couldn't find a way to trouble Wales' subpar defence.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (5/10):
One of four subs to come on for the final 20 minutes or so, replacing Rice.
Jordan Henderson (6/10):
On for Anderson with the game at walking pace.
Morgan Gibbs-White (6/10):
Replaced Rogers as the most advanced midfielder.
Jarrod Bowen (6/10):
Subbed on for Saka. Fed Gordon with a fine pass in transition which ended up coming to nothing.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (N/A):
Got a run out in place of Stones.
Thomas Tuchel (9/10):
England flew out of the traps and wrapped the game up before Wales could even settle. The exact sort of ruthlessness hoped of the Three Lions boss when he was appointed.