Another super efficient performance by England as they made easy work of disposing of the challenge from Latvia and at the end of the match qualification for the finals in America was guaranteed. The game began, predictably, with Latvia having ten men behind the ball and England probing with their ten men trying to find gaps. Early on England's crosses were poor and it was easy for the big defenders to clear the danger. England had almost all the possession as they probed and stretched the defenders in the opening 15 minutes. Anthony Gordon was looking the main threat down the left and on 16 minutes he cut inside but his final shot was off target.

England needed patience as the Latvians were playing a determined game. Gordon continues as the main danger to the home side who struggled with his pace and trickery. England's crossing was too low at times making it easy for the defenders to clear. But then, on 26 minutes the inevitable breakthrough came. John Stones, deep in his own half, spotted a run from Gordon and sent a long pass over the top for him to run onto. The Latvians were caught cold and Gordon cut inside and fired a fine shot into the far corner for his second England goal and an excellent one too. Over the next five or six minutes play was scrappy from England as Latvia tried in vain to hit back. Andrejs Cigaņiks received a yellow card for a late challenge and after that incident England settled down again. On 37 minutes another fine run and cross from Gordon was just begging to be touched home but Harry Kane was blocked off by a defender and the ball was cleared. The pressure was building again, and it seemed only a matter of time before England would add to their lead. In fact, before the break they stretched the lead well out of Latvia's reach.

If the home side had reached the break just one goal down then maybe, just maybe. But that wasn't to be and on 44 minutes the ball bounced off Bukayo Saka into Kane's path and the lethal striker wasted no time in drilling a fierce left-foot shot wide of the keeper. Goal number 75 for his country and he almost scored again straight after when a cross from Declan Rice was headed at goal by Kane, but this time goalkeeper Krisjanis Zviedris stretched a right hand out to save the day. A curious decision by the referee shortly afterwards, more late than anything, meant a check on VAR looking at a possible penalty. In the melee following another cross, It was found that Kane had been pushed over by Atonijs Černomordijs, It resulted in a penalty for England and with the rain bucketing down Kane was not going to give up this gift and he sent the keeper the wrong way to score the third goal.

Unlike the Welsh game previously, England were determined to keep the pressure on Latvia. Early England attacks were cleared and the next clear chance came at the other end. On 50 minutes Vladisslavs Gutkovskis, ran clear of the England defence and bore down on goal. However, a brilliant piece of defending by Ezri Konsa, recovering quickly and tackling cleanly saved the day for Jordan Pickford's clean sheet. But give Gutkovskis his due, he kept plugging away and only a fine save by the England keeper minutes later prevented a goal for Latvia.

There was a strange period in the game for a while as all 10 England players seemed to want to score, and as a result of that Latvia broke dangerously on several occasions as gaps appeared. Eberechi Eze, Jordan Henderson and Jerod Bowen then came on as substitutes and England were coasting at this stage, although it was nip and tuck for a while. But then, on 58 minutes Djed Spence is clear on the right and puts over a dangerous cross. The goalkeeper gets a touch but the ball unluckily strikes substitute Maksims Toņiševs on the shin and creeps agonizingly slowly over the line for an own goal. Rotten luck for the youngster.

Several more chance are created by England as the wind goes out of the Latvian's sails with Bowen close with another good effort whilst Marcus Rashford and Gordon combine to almost score again. On 75 minutes Kane came close to a hat-trick but the keeper again made a good save. However, the scoring had not ended. Eze is then brought down on the angle of the penalty area and Bowen curled in a cross that cleared everyone. Latvia never gave up and play really was end to end in the last quarter. But England were to have the final word and on 86 minutes the pressure paid off again. Bowen won the ball in midfield and found Eze who sprinted in from the left an hit a fine shot wide of the keeper. Kane almost added to his personal tally but there was no further scoring.

The job was done and England now look forward to a trip to the States. Thomas Tuchal must be delighted by the determination and non-stop effort shown by his players. I applaud Latvia though, who never gave up trying and perhaps were a little unlucky not to score as England pushed up so far. Five more goals and another conclusive win from the Lionhearts. A special word for Elliot Anderson who has done exceptionally well since coming into the side, taking his chance with both hands, and feet.
         

Source Notes