On a night that mattered most, England rose to the occasion.
A commanding 5-0 victory over Serbia not only silenced the Rajko Mitic Stadium but also all but guaranteed their place at next summer’s World Cup in North America.
With five wins from five qualifiers, Thomas Tuchel’s side looked every bit like serious contenders aiming to end a trophy drought stretching back to 1966.
Goals Flow as New Names Shine
What made this win extra special was the spread of goals — five different scorers found the net, with two of them opening their England accounts.
It was a complete team performance, arguably the best under Tuchel so far, showing that this squad has both depth and flair.
Life Without Bellingham: Rogers Steps Up
Much of the pre-match talk centered on whether England could cope without Jude Bellingham.
Enter Morgan Rogers. Taking on the creative No. 10 role, the Aston Villa playmaker brought swagger and invention.
After a slow start, he clicked with Elliot Anderson, producing a dazzling flick-assist for Noni Madueke that lit up the game.
Rogers might not carry Bellingham’s imposing presence, but his creativity and sharpness suggest England have another exciting option in midfield moving forward.
Tuchel’s Promise Finally Delivered
Tuchel had promised that his England would play brave, attacking football.
For the first 20 minutes, it looked like more of the same — slow, safe passing with little end product. But then it all clicked.
Two first-half goals set the tone, and by the second half, England were flying. Fast, progressive, and confident, this was the England fans had been waiting to see.
Elliot Anderson Continues to Impress
At the weekend, Elliot Anderson stole the show. Against Serbia, he did it again.
The Nottingham Forest midfielder thrives on making every touch count, driving the ball forward, breaking lines, and linking play with courage and creativity.
At 22, Anderson is shaping into England’s most important breakthrough star of this international break.
Comparisons to Paul Gascoigne might feel lofty, but his style, skill, and confidence on the ball make them hard to ignore.
Harry Kane Back to His Best
After a quiet showing against Andorra, Harry Kane was far more involved this time around.
He doubled his touches from the previous game and scored his 74th England goal. His intelligent link-up play and sharp movement caused constant problems, even forcing a red card for Serbia’s Nikola Milenkovic.
Surrounded by pacey wingers and direct midfielders, Kane looked energized, proving once again why he remains central to England’s attack.
Defensive Players Join the Fun
It wasn’t just the forwards making headlines.
Centre-backs Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi both got on the scoresheet, hinting at a partnership Tuchel might now trust heading into the World Cup.
Full-backs also played their part. Tino Livramento, in particular, stood out at left-back, surging forward to stretch Serbia’s defense and adding a new dynamic to England’s attack.
Together with Reece James, he helped bring a refreshing fluidity to England’s play.
A Team Coming Together at the Right Time
This wasn’t just a win — it was a statement.
England looked fluid, confident, and full of attacking intent.
With young stars like Rogers and Anderson emerging, established leaders like Kane delivering, and a defense contributing at both ends, Tuchel’s side finally resembled the team he promised to build.
For England fans, the dream of lifting the World Cup for the first time since 1966 suddenly feels a little closer.