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England Ease Past Neighbours Wales At Wembley

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Tom Vinall | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 6:05 PM ET

Highlights

Game dedicated to Alzheimer's Society
Comprehensive victory for Thomas Tuchel's side
Plenty of different players given an opportunity to impress

On Thursday evening UK time, and 14:15 ET, England hosted neighbours Wales in a friendly at Wembley Stadium, with the game dedicated to Alzheimer's Society. As a result, all players played without a name on the back of their shirts in the second half. A classy touch.

England manager Thomas Tuchel made a number of changes for the game. Djed Spence made his full England debut at right-back, whilst John Stones made his first appearance under Tuchel. Although not a 'change' from the Serbia game, Morgan Rogers got another start in the number ten role.

Up front, Ollie Watkins started for the first time since one year ago, with Harry Kane rested with an ankle issue. Aside from that, there were a number of regulars - Jordan Pickford, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Declan Rice and Anthony Gordon. At this point, you'd probably class Elliot Anderson in that group too.

Meanwhile, Craig Bellamy went surprisingly strong, considering they have a huge qualifier against Belgium on Monday. The likes of Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson were named in the starting XI.

It would be the dream start for England, who scored within the first three minutes. After a set piece, the ball seemed to be heading out of play for a goal kick, but Guehi managed to keep the ball alive and cut it back for Rogers, who fired home from close range for his first goal for his country.

Then, after 11 minutes - it was two. Once again following a set piece, Rogers fizzed the ball across goal, and Guehi flicked the ball to Watkins at the back post, who could not miss. Two assists for the Crystal Palace central defender.

England continued to dominate the territory, and after 20 minutes, they had a third. In trademark fashion, Saka cut inside and fired a left footed finish into the top corner. His first international goal since Euro 2024.

Throughout the first half, Tuchel's side had several other chances to increase the lead in the first half, but could not finish them. A Watkins chance from a couple of yards out was the biggest chance of them all.

The Aston Villa man picked up a knock in the first half, and was replaced by former club team mate Marcus Rashford, who brushed off a knock of his own during Barcelona's game at Sevilla last weekend.

Truth be told, the second half was much of a muchness, with several subs made from both teams. One of those was Ruben Loftus-Cheek replacing Rogers, for his first England appearance in seven years. Morgan Gibbs-White, Jarrod Bowen and Jordan Henderson also replaced Anderson, Saka and Rice in a quadruple sub.

Later on in the half, Myles Lewis-Skelly replaced Stones for the sixth and final sub. Plenty of minutes in the legs for a number of players. It was interesting that Anderson went off at the same time as the likes of Rice and Saka. It was clear those subs were to save them for Tuesday - we are seeing Anderson become a crucial part of the furniture.

So, despite a boring second half, a through and professional win. Another clean sheet for Pickford - who still hasn't conceded in any of the six games he has played under Tuchel. The only game he hasn't played in that time, England lost 3-1 to Senegal.

This was his 79th Three Lions cap, and his 41st clean sheet. Peter Shilton holds the England appearances record with 125, and clean sheet record with 66. Injuries aside, Pickford will feel he can hunt both of those records down.

It was Saka's 13th goal in 45 caps, with only Rashford and Kane having scored more from active players. Really encouraging to see him score again, having missed quite a few camps since the Euros.

Really great to see Rogers get his first goal, having played well and grabbed an assist vs Serbia. He is really putting himself 'right in the mix' for the World Cup next summer, particularly with Phil Foden not being in the squad.

Solid night all round for England The attention now turns to Latvia on Tuesday, where qualification for the World Cup could be secured.

As for Wales - disappointing night, but a respectable second half. Got to put it behind them and put full focus on a much more important game at home to Belgium on Monday. A must win.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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