England Labor to 2-0 Qualifying Win Over Andorra Amid Stubborn Defense

BIRMINGHAM, England – England maintained their perfect start to World Cup qualifying with a functional 2-0 victory over Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday, though a labored performance against the 174th-ranked side offered little inspiration for the near-40,000 in attendance.

The breakthrough arrived fortuitously in the 25th minute when a menacing cross from Noni Madueke deflected off the head of Andorran defender Christian García for an own goal. The result was only secured in the 67th minute when Declan Rice met a Reece James delivery with a powerful downward header.

Facing a deeply entrenched defensive block, England dominated possession with 83% of the ball but struggled to create clear opportunities against a side that often fielded nine outfield players behind the ball. Harry Kane was kept unusually quiet, with Eberechi Eze and Marcus Rashford also failing to convert half-chances.

The match did provide a bright spot in the form of a confident debut from Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who looked composed in midfield despite the limited opposition. The victory, England’s fourth in as many qualifiers, leaves them top of Group K with 12 points ahead of a more demanding fixture away to Serbia on Tuesday. While the result extends England’s unbeaten run in World Cup qualifying to 35 matches, the performance is likely to intensify discussions about the team’s pragmatic style under manager Thomas Tuchel.