Alexander-Arnold's assist masterclass for England may not be enough to keep his starting place

Trent Alexander-Arnold produced a commanding performance on his first England start in 716 days, setting up Anthony Gordon’s opener as the Three Lions beat Czech Republic 2-0 in their Nations League opener — but the Real Madrid defender’s place in Thomas Tuchel’s plans looks anything but guaranteed.

Alexander-Arnold, who turns 28 next week, made his first international start under Tuchel only after a lengthy injury list stripped the manager of Ben White, Reece James, Djed Spence, and Tino Livramento. The German coach had used eight different players at starting right-back before necessity finally brought Alexander-Arnold into the XI.

For the first half, there was little of the point-to-prove energy you might expect from a player who has been repeatedly overlooked. Instead, Alexander-Arnold operated on something closer to autopilot — which, given his ability, is still a level above most. His natural brilliance simply took over.

The assist for Gordon’s goal was not merely a trademark whipped delivery from that extraordinary right boot. It was the sense of adventure that put him in position to execute it in the first place. The pass eliminated three defenders, gave the goalkeeper no chance of interception, and was, by any measure, an extraordinary piece of football — though entirely ordinary for Alexander-Arnold.

The broader picture, however, is a complicated one. This is the same manager who could not find room for Alexander-Arnold in a 26-man World Cup squad. One assisting masterpiece, however elegant, may not be sufficient to shift Tuchel’s thinking once his preferred options return to fitness.

Alexander-Arnold carries a trophy cabinet that includes two Premier League titles, a Champions League, an FA Cup, two EFL Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, and a FIFA Club World Cup. He plays for Real Madrid. And yet he has started just 27 matches for England across a decade of international football — a number that speaks volumes about how successive England managers have viewed him.

First Gareth Southgate, and now Tuchel, have given the impression they would sooner field almost anyone else at right-back. Lewis Hall was also excellent against the Czechs, which only adds to the competition Alexander-Arnold faces for a position that, on the evidence of Prague, he is clearly capable of owning.