After an unforgettable week, Dan Burn probably wasn’t expecting another fairy-tale moment at Wembley.
Yet, when he rose to meet a corner and sent his header crashing against the crossbar, he came agonizingly close to another dream goal.
A Different Atmosphere at Wembley
This time, the atmosphere at Wembley was different from the euphoric scenes of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool.
That night felt like an emotional awakening for Newcastle fans.
But this match had a different vibe—it was the first real test for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, and by full-time, many fans had already left.
Burn wasn’t expected to feature in the starting lineup. Marc Guehi had been the likely choice to partner Ezri Konsa in central defense, especially with Harry Maguire and John Stones unavailable.
But Burn, known for his vocal presence on the pitch, took his opportunity in a match that proved more challenging than anticipated for an England side aiming for World Cup success next year.
A Familiar Set-Piece Threat
Just as he did against Liverpool, Burn posed a significant threat from set pieces.
This time, Albania seemed better prepared, often doubling up on him.
In the 27th minute, two defenders marked him tightly as he headed wide.
A moment later, he found space, but his powerful header from seven yards struck the crossbar—a chance that perhaps should have gone in.
Despite Burn’s attacking presence, the game served as a reminder of his defensive limitations.
While he distributed the ball well and barked instructions confidently, there were some concerning moments at the back.
England dominated possession but never fully controlled the game, and Albania came dangerously close to snatching an equalizer late on.
Defensive Struggles and Harsh Realities
Burn is not the quickest defender, and his lack of agility was exposed at times.
n one instance during the second half, he was caught out as Albania counterattacked, leaving him on the ground while his teammates scrambled to recover.
Earlier in the game, his attempted headed clearance looped onto the bar, though the situation wasn’t particularly dangerous.
His call-up to the England squad at this stage of his career is a great story, and Burn doesn’t seem like someone who will take it for granted.
However, as England’s performance started to stutter, it became clear that there are still questions about his suitability at this level.
Harry Kane’s late goal, his 14th in his last 17 qualifiers, ensured England’s win, but it masked some of the team’s struggles.
A Functional Yet Uninspiring England Display
Tuchel wants his England side to play with Premier League-style intensity, but against a team like Albania—who sat deep and invited pressure—it was difficult to generate real momentum.
This performance felt eerily similar to Gareth Southgate’s England: controlled, efficient, but lacking excitement.
Teenager Miles Lewis-Skelly marked his debut with a goal, a bright moment on an otherwise unremarkable night.
Yet, this wasn’t the start of a bold new era.
Instead, it was a reminder that Tuchel has work to do if England are to truly evolve.
Lessons from Southgate and Selection Controversies
Criticism of Southgate has often been unfair—after all, he led England to two major finals.
If Tuchel can achieve even one next summer, it would be an impressive feat.
However, one of Southgate’s flaws was his loyalty to certain players, sometimes at the expense of form.
Tuchel, to his credit, showed less hesitation in his selections.
Phil Foden, struggling for form, was fortunate to start and had a poor night.
He shouldn’t feature against Latvia on Monday.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford, though not spectacular at Aston Villa, showed positive intent.
Curtis Jones injected some tempo into the game, and Kyle Walker, on loan at Milan, looked to be regaining confidence.
Ultimately, though, this wasn’t a performance to celebrate.
If Southgate had overseen this display, he wouldn’t have received much praise—and nor should Tuchel. To paraphrase Sir Alex Ferguson: ‘Lads, this was Albania.’