Gordon's opener and Kane's record-chasing goal seal England's 2-0 win in Prague

Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane secured England a 2-0 Nations League victory over ten-man Czech Republic at the Fortuna Arena on Tuesday, with Thomas Tuchel’s side bouncing back after their defeat to Spain at Wembley.

Gordon, increasingly a fixture in England’s starting eleven since impressing in the United States last summer, broke the deadlock in the 47th minute. The assist came from Trent Alexander-Arnold, making his first England start in two years, whose precise cross found Gordon in space to finish. Once the Czech resistance was broken, England controlled the remainder of the match and Kane added the second to take his international tally to 87 goals in 123 caps — putting him on course to equal Peter Shilton’s all-time England caps record in this round of Nations League fixtures.

The Czech Republic had been reduced to ten men as early as the 25th minute when midfielder Pavel Sulc, initially booked for a reckless challenge on Elliot Anderson, was upgraded to a red card by referee Umut Meler following a VAR review. Despite the numerical advantage, England struggled to find a way through in the first half and came close to conceding before the dismissal, with goalkeeper James Trafford required to make a brave block to deny Sulc after Anderson lost possession cheaply.

England also wasted a string of chances before the interval. Morgan Rogers struck the post, Kane failed to convert from close range, Anderson’s follow-up was blocked, and Bukayo Saka spurned the clearest opening of the half.

Tuchel made changes at the break to sharpen his side, and the tactical adjustments paid off almost immediately as Alexander-Arnold’s delivery unlocked the defence for Gordon’s opener.

The result puts England’s Nations League campaign back on track ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Croatia. Gordon, who made his senior debut two and a half years ago and struggled at Euro 2024, has since established himself as one of the first names in the squad following his move to Barcelona in the summer. His performance in Prague underlined that transformation.

The backdrop to the camp has been the ongoing fallout from Manchester City’s Premier League charges verdict, with several City players in the squad. England had looked unsettled against Spain on Saturday, with Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly both making errors that contributed to goals. Against the Czechs, the defensive frailties were again evident early on before the red card and Gordon’s goal steadied the ship.