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On November 13, 2025, England defeated Serbia 2-0 at Wembley Stadium in a European qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (Group K, Matchday 7).
Goals from Bukayo Saka (28th minute, a sublime volley) and Eberechi Eze (90th minute, a precise finish after an assist from Phil Foden) secured the victory for Thomas Tuchel’s team.
England dominated possession (70%) and shots on target (15-6), although the match was tight, with Serbia applying pressure in the final minutes. This was England’s seventh consecutive victory in the group, maintaining a perfect record and their seventh clean sheet.
Impact: The match highlighted England’s attacking depth and power under Tuchel, with substitutes like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Eze making decisive contributions.
Saka’s goal—his 14th for England—directly answered Tuchel’s pre-match criticism of his international scoring rate, boosting his confidence ahead of the tournament.
Debutant Nico O’Reilly had a brief appearance, demonstrating the integration of young talent into a squad that combines stars like Harry Kane with emerging prospects. For Serbia, the defeat exposed their defensive weaknesses against top-level opponents, as they struggled to capitalize on their few scoring opportunities despite the threats posed by Dusan Vlahovic.
In a broader context, this result consolidates England’s position as the first European team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup (to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico), easing the pressure ahead of their final group stage match against Albania on November 16. It also underscores Serbia’s struggles in qualifying, following their 5-0 home defeat to England in September 2025 and their recent loss to Albania.
For England: Qualification secured with two matches to spare, allowing for squad rotation and injury management (e.g., Cole Palmer was unavailable).
The victory extends their unbeaten run against Serbia to seven matches across decades (including encounters against Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro). However, lapses in concentration in the second half raised some concerns for Tuchel regarding the intensity of the match. On the positive side, this generates momentum and harmony within the team, and the impact of Bellingham and Foden off the bench suggests tactical flexibility for the final tournament.
For Serbia: The defeat eliminates their chances of finishing in the top two of Group K, ending their hopes of direct qualification or a playoff spot.
Now third with 10 points, they face a crucial match against Andorra on November 16, but will likely enter the second round of the playoffs (for the 12 additional UEFA places).
Coach Veljko Paunovic, appointed in October 2025, is under scrutiny after a poor run of form (three defeats in five matches), exacerbated by the absence of Aleksandar Mitrovic due to his club commitments. This could lead to squad changes or unrest among the fans, similar to the boos at halftime during the previous defeat to England.
Albania secured second place (and a spot in the playoffs) with a simultaneous victory, complicating England’s path to the final.
On social media, the fans’ enthusiasm for the goals was reflected in the midfield battle, with some comments about on-field issues (for example, poorly defined penalty areas) and controversial refereeing decisions, such as a possible foul on Vlahovic.
England’s victory was a professional, if somewhat unspectacular, confirmation of their dominance in the qualifying phase: 24 goals for and none against in the group.
Tuchel’s team is now focused on preparing for the World Cup, where their “attacking talent” (Kane, Saka, Bellingham, etc.) positions them as genuine contenders, although refining their pressing and finishing will be key.
For Serbia, it’s a harsh dose of reality: talent like Vlahovic exists, but cohesion under Paunovic’s leadership remains elusive, likely condemning them, at best, to the playoffs.
Overall, the match reaffirms the hierarchy of European qualification, with England advancing steadily while smaller teams like Serbia struggle for the top spots. Tuchel is expected to use the inconsequential encounter against Albania to experiment, thus preparing for a strong campaign in 2026.
Albania secured second place (and a playoff spot) with a simultaneous victory, complicating England’s chances of reaching the final.
On social media, the fans’ enthusiasm for the goals was reflected in the midfield battle, with some comments about on-field issues (for example, poorly defined penalty areas) and controversial refereeing decisions, such as a possible foul on Vlahovic.
England’s victory was a professional, albeit unspectacular, confirmation of their dominance in the qualifying phase: 24 goals for and none against in the group.
Tuchel’s team is now focused on preparing for the World Cup, where their “attacking talent” (Kane, Saka, Bellingham, etc.) positions them as genuine contenders, although refining their pressing and finishing will be key.
For Serbia, it’s a harsh dose of reality: talent like Vlahovic exists, but cohesion under Paunovic remains elusive, likely condemning them, at best, to the playoffs.
Overall, the match reaffirms the hierarchy of European qualification, with England advancing steadily while smaller teams like Serbia struggle for the top spots. Tuchel is expected to use the inconsequential encounter against Albania to experiment, thus preparing for a strong campaign for 2026.
