Latvia vs England - World Cup Qualifiers RECAP: Eberechi Eze adds a fifth for rampant Three Lions

Why?

England are going to the World Cup next year, that's why.

With two games to spare, Thomas Tuchel's men have done the job and will be off to North America next summer.

They maintained their 100 per cent record in qualifying here in Latvia tonight by smashing five past the hosts without reply.

Harry Kane bags a brace while Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze both got on the scoresheet. Oh yeah, and there was an own goal.

It was the perfect way to sign off from an unusually entertaining international break.

Now, I have to dash guys. Thanks for joining, and I will see you soon.

Conor Coady, ex-England defender, speaking on Radio 5 Live:

Elliot Anderson has become the composer of this team.

It's like he is stood in front of a choir and the Royal Albert Hall and is dictating how is fellow players play.

Anderson completed 121 passes tonight against Latvia, the most on record by an England player in an away game (since August 2008).

It may be nine months until the World Cup, but I'd say that the midfielder has already booked his spot on that plane.

He has become such an important player to his team.

Thomas Tuchel, England manager, speaking to ITV:

On the fans songs:

On if Harry Kane is the best striker he's coached:

What is it about being 32 years old?

It seems to be the age where players reach the peak of their powers these days, which feels odd to say.

Mohamed Salah has the best season of his life last season while aged 32, and now Harry Kane is banging in goals like he never has before.

I believe the saying is 'aging like a fine wine.'

It's October and he has scored 21 goals in 13 games for club and country. No, you are not hallucinating; those stats are real.

Like, it's just a silly record. I always knew Kane was clinical, but I didn't quite realise he could get even better as the years went by.

He is in the form of his life.

Harry Kane, England captain, speaking to ITV:

Imagine sleeping in the same sheets for weeks on end and never having to change them because they don't get dirty.

Well, England defenders will know what that feels like.

No, not literally, but rather in terms of clean sheets in football. They just can't stop getting them.

The Three Lions have played six games in qualifying and have yet to concede a goal, despite netting 18 themselves.

That's a ridiculous record, isn't it?

Thomas Tuchel certainly can't criticise the England fans tonight.

They did not stop singing all night. The 2,500 travelling supporters chanted their little hearts out from the first to the last whistle.

The England players certainly appreciated it, and every single player made sure to thank the away end.

There is a real positive feel around this current Three Lions contingent, which is a good sign.

Vibes are vibing right now, if you catch my drift...

It's just too easy.

England have now qualified for eight successive FIFA World Cup tournaments (since 1998), extending their longest ever run.

Yes, I know, we always expect them to do so, especially in teh current climate, but it is another thing getting it done.

It's not just been that they have topped the group, but rather the way in which they have done it.

100 per cent record and cruising.

'Just another one champion sound, me and Estelle about to get down.

'Who the hottest in the world right now? Just touched down in London town.'

Please tell me that you know which banger those lyrics are from.

That's right, it's Estelle's American Boy, which just feels a fitting song to post in the aftermath of that England win.

Thomas Tuchel has done his job and the Three Lions will be off to the World Cup stateside next year.

Now, they just have to go and win it. No pressure, lads.

America, here come England!

The Three Lions book their place at next summer's World Cup, and they do it in some style.

Six games, six wins, and they have topped the group with two games to spare.

Get looking for hotels, guys.

Latvia's pain will soon be over.

There will just be two minutes of stoppage time here in a rainy Riga, which is marked by Harry Kane blazing a free-kick over the bar.

This is a horrible situation to come into.

Latvia are being pummelled here and I bet all the substitutes are just praying to be left on the bench.

Well, Kristaps Grabovskis should not be so lucky as he is brought on for the final few minutes.

Game, set, and match!

England just can't stop scoring at the moment, and Eberechi Eze polishes off this five-star display.

He races away down the left, dances inside beating a few players, and sticks one bottom bins.

Another brilliant performance and brilliant night for England.

I feel for the players here.

The rain is still hammering down in Riga and they are a sodden bunch of stars on the pitch.

Harry Kane is absolutely drenched. I bet he can't wait to get back inside.

He will want that third, mind.

Well, this game is just no fun to watch anymore.

England have taken their foot off the gas, and Latvia just aren't a very good football team.

May as well blow the whistle now.

So close to the hat-trick.

Harry Kane is desperate for his third, and only a brilliant save denies him getting it.

A corner drops to the captain and he smashes it toward goal, but he is denied by Zviedris.

He still has time, though.

Latvia are making some changes.

Vladislavs Gutkovskis and Lukass Vapne have done all they can in this game, but their work is done.

Aleksejs Saveljevs and Marko Regza come on.

Here comes Marcus!

Rashford is in some form at the moment, and he is going to get 20 minutes to show off some of his tekky skills.

Yes, I just used the word tekky... and what?

Rahsford replaces Anthony Gordon, while Dan Burn comes on for John Stones.

Oh, that's close... really close.

Maksims Tonisevs drills one low and hard across Jordan Pickford, and my word, it's just centimetres from going inside the fair post.

But it flashes wide.

Well, that is pants.

Jarrod Bowen may have just produced the worst shot of the match. In fact, no, it's the worst of the whole international break.

The winger blasts one so wide I think it's gone into the trees at the side of the pitch.

Good luck finding that one.

So, so nearly five.

England are showing no mercy whatsoever in this second half, it feels like another goal is coming.

Eberechi Eze sees the ball roll in his direction 20 yards out, and he just swings a boot at it.

It's a beautiful strike from the Arsenal man, but he is denied by the keeper.

Guess how Thomas Tuchel celebrated that goal?

Well, he didn't; he was too focused on getting three substitutes ready on the sidelines.

Jordan Henderson, Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen are all on.

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear...

You don't get much more unlucky than that. Maksims Tonisevs puts the ball into his own net, but even he wasn't aware of what was happening as he does so.

Djed Spence's cross goes over the goalkeeper and just bounces off the Latvian substitute and goes in.

Get those flights booked.

Djed Spence, that is filthy.

if you know me, you know how much I love a rabona, and Spence has just produced a sexy one.

The Tottenham full-back rabona's a cross into the box. Nothing comes of it, but it's still beautiful.

What a tackle that is, wow!

Ezri Konsa puts in a goal-saving sliding challenge in the box to deny Vladislavs Gutkovskis.

The Latvian striker is fed in behind and races away; he looks destined to score. But Konsa comes from nowhere to slide through the ball, and him.

Moments later, Gutkovskis has a dig from distance, and it flies just wide.

Ooooft...

I nearly got my answer as the ball flashes just past the post - so nearly a fourth.

Declan Rice whops a wicked ball into the box, and a Latvian defender nearly nods it into his own net.

I thought that was in for a second.

Are England going to show mercy, or just go harder on the gas?

I honestly don't know.

Against Serbia, they just went for the throat and kept scoring goals, but against Wales, they slowed down.

If it's the latter, it could get boring here.

Right, we are back underway again.

The rain is laughing down, but it isn't stopping these England fans belting out their chants.

They are in some mood.

Conor Coady, ex-England defender, speaking on ITV:

We simply have to watch this goal.

Harry Kane can do no wrong in front of goal right now, and his first strike tonight just shows that.

Just look how he bends the ball into the bottom corner with pinpoint accuracy; it's just beautiful.

Watch and enjoy the magic.

Harry Kane is just inevitable.

The lad just can't stop scoring. Like, I knew he was clinical, but this form is just another level.

Kane just scored more than one goal in a match for England for the 13th time - a new Three Lions record, surpassing Nat Lofthouse's 12. Baker's.

He just loves breaking records for his country.

Phoar, what an end to the half for England.

As Harry Kane races away to do his usual vanilla celebration, the referee blows for the break.

England have nine toes in the World Cup draw after that 45 minutes, that was about as dominant a display as you can get.

Thomas Tuchel will be a happy bunny.

Never. In. Doubt.

Harry Kane just doesn't miss penalties, and he buries it into the bottom corner with ease.

I think this game might be over now, don't you?

Well, that was quick.

Harry Kane certainly was hauled to the ground from a corner, and now he has the chance to add a third.

Can he take it?

Erm... what?

The referee has been asked to go to the monitor to check for an England penalty.

Harry Kane was screaming at him that he had been hauled to the ground for a corner, and well, replays show he was.

Surely this is a pen.

Oh my, it's so nearly three.

England really are purring now, and so is Harry Kane as he comes inches away from netting a second in two minutes.

He gets on the end of a cross and heads the ball into the ground, and it seems destined for the net.

But the keeper manages to flick it over the bar.

Guess who?!

Injury, what injury? Harry Kane is in the form of his life right now and my word, what a goal that is.

Everything this man touches turns to goals, and he bends a beauty low into the bottom corner to surely kill this game before the break.

Get the plane ready, it's US-bound.

Oh, it should be two.

England are absolutely nailing Latvia here, and how they aren't three or four up is beyond me.

Elliot Anderson is the latest to miss a decent chance as he blasts an effort wide from inside the box.

he should at least get the ball on target.

That's a little harsh, is it not?

Daniels Balodis is in a little tussle with Bukayo Saka, and gives away a foul for holding onto the winger for too long.

Now, that should just be a warning, but nope, the ref decides to get the yellow card out. Bit OTT.

OK, maybe I was wrong, players shouldn't just have a pop.

Harry Kane may be the best finisher in the world, but that effort from 30 yards did not need to be hit.

The captain drives a low strike comfortably wide from miles out.

Anthony Gordon is on smoke today.

I mean, what did he have for breakfast? Whatever it was, I want some.

In the space of a minute, he both whips a lovely cross, which Harry Kane can't finish, and then gets on the end of a flowing move.

The winger cuts inside yet again, and you think you know what is coming... but he can't keep his effort on target.

I wish players would just have a pop these days.

Elliot Anderson sees the ball roll his way from a corner and he just needs to smash one at goal.

But he takes a couple of touches and then the chance is gone.

Now, Anderson has been brilliant today, but he should have just gone all Steven Gerrard there.

Ooooft, that's a nasty challenge.

I'm not sure what Andrejs Ciganiks is thinking there; he is never getting to that ball.

Djed Spence makes him look silly, and the defender just cleans him out.

A yellow card it is.

That was exactly what this game and England needed.

The signs of frustration were starting to grow, and Latvia was starting to look sturdier and sturdier.

But that strike has opened this game up, and now Latvia is bombing forward in numbers.

The hosts want a penalty for a handball by Bukayo Saka, but you never get those.

We now might actually have a game on our hands...

What was I saying again?

I never fail to make myself look like an idiot in these blogs, and it has happened yet again thanks to Anthony Gordon.

Just after I moaned about how boring this game was, Gordon races down the left, cuts inside, and bends a brilliant strike into the corner. Just classic, eh?

My colleague Craig has got his wish.

OK, now I am getting bored.

My phone is next to me and I never normally get the urge to pick it up while reporting on football.

However, that TikTok app is looking mighty attractive tonight because of how hard this game is to watch.

To my bosses: don't worry, I won't actually go on TT... for now.

(Yes, I am Gen Z)

The goal is surely coming soon; it has to be.

England have had all of the ball and Latvia can barely even get out of their box.

But the Three Lions' final ball just hasn't been good enough tonight, far from it.

One of these moves will come off, though.

My word, that's even worse.

If Bukayo Saka's bending effort was bad, this one from Anthony Gordon is 10 times worse.

The less said about it, the better.

Not tonight, Bukayo.

Saka attempts to bend home a belter just like he did against Wales last week. I mean, after that strike, why wouldn't you have another pop?

But this time, he gets it all wrong.

After a give-and-go with Morgan Rogers, he bends one high and wide. Luckily for him, the stands are so far away from the pitch it didn't clear them.

What is Myles Lewis-Skelly doing? Has the lad forgotten how to strike a ball?

The ball is bouncing in his direction, and rather than step forward to smash it, he steps backward and waits for it to come his way.

Obviously, that's a silly decision and a Latvian player gets to it first because of his hesitation. Just put your foot through it, Sonny Jim.

All a bit bizarre, really.

Oh, Harry, Harry, Harry... how have you missed that?

Kane is supposedly in the form of his life, but I think I may have even scored that.

OK, I am being dramatic, but Kane really should score as Anthony Gordon puts the ball on a plate for him six yards from goal.

But he fires wide...

'Are we loud enough for you?'

Now, this is the type of chant we love to hear.

The England fans are singing toward Thomas Tuchel, who had a pop at them being quiet at Wembley last week.

Now they are singing 'Our support is f***ing s***'. Banter.

Sorry, I have to talk about the stadium again.

It's just such a weird sight seeing a bunch of trees as the backdrop to Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane knocking the ball about.

This feels almost like a home match, though. All you can hear are the England fans belting out their chants.

I feel like I am at the Kassam.

What a start... oh wait!

Harry Kane slides the ball in the net inside 60 seconds, but the flag is up.

And yeah, watching the replay, Bukayo Saka was miles offside in the build-up to Kane's finish.

And I mean MILES.

The national anthems are done, huddles have been had, and the players are in position.

Off we go.

Can England book their place in next year's World Cup? We will find out in 90 minutes.

I love quirky stadiums.

The players have just emerged from the tunnel, and it has made me realise how funky this ground is.

It's like they are about to play at my old University, not a professional football ground.

I'm pretty sure I have ran track at bigger stadiums than this...

But this is why games like this are so enticing, you think it will be a walk in the park, but it very rarely is.

England will have to work hard tonight.

Thomas Tuchel, England manager, on ITV:

We are nearly there, guys.

There are now just over five minutes until we see the Three Lions playing once again.

The warm-ups are over, and from what I saw, they looked fairly sharp out there.

Well, bar a few honking efforts, but mainly all looked good.

Ezri Konsa, England defender, on ITV:

Craig Hope at Daugava Stadium in Riga:

There are floodlights, and then there are these.

I mean, they are just blooming enormous (yes, you know what word I wanted to say). They make the stand in between them look tiny.

Yes, it is tiny, but still...

Right, let's cast our minds back to March.

That was when England last faced Latvia, and well, it was a fairly routine night for the Three Lions.

Reece James scored an absolute banger of a free-kick, while Eberechi Eze netted his first goal for his country and, of course, Harry Kane scored too.

A comfortable three-goal win under the lights at Wembley.

Thomas Tuchel will be hoping that this evening is as painless as that one was.

Is this a training pitch?

I mean, this picture makes it look as though England are at a training stadium getting ready for a session.

But nope, the Daugava Stadium just has three stands and is surrounded by trees.

A cool setting, a nicer version of the Kassam in Oxford, but hardly the environment for an international friendly.

It will feel strange to play in for many of these players.

Joe Cole, former England midfielder, speaking to Paddy Power:

Thomas Tuchel might just have found his new No.6.

Ever since coming into the England set-up last camp, Elliot Anderson has started every match. He seems to have nailed down his spot in the midfield.

Now, I know what you are all thinking... what about Adam Wharton?

I mean, I agree. Wharton is the definition of a baller and in my eyes should be starting for the Three Lions.

However, Anderson has been superb ever since his first cap against Andorra, and it will be tough to rip the lad away from the starting line-up.

Will he put in another stellar display tonight?

Alan Shearer, former England captain, speaking to Betfair:

Harry Kane is going to break Peter Shilton's record, isn't he?

The England captain is set to make his 110th appearance for the Three Lions, which is just 15 away from Shilton's all-time record of caps.

Just the 16 to go, Harry.

Kane already has the goal-scoring record with 74 goals, which isn't far off being deemed unbreakable, and soon he will have another.

We have our answer.

Harry Kane comes straight back in to start up top, replacing the injured Ollie Watkins.

Meanwhile, Myles Lewis-Skelly comes in to replace Marc Guehi as the second of two changes.

The rest as is for Thomas Tuchel's men.

Thomas Tuchel, England manager, on Harry Kane:

Some players are just built different. Harry Kane is one of those players.

He came into this international break with an injury, and I don't think anybody expected him to feature in either of England's games.

But the Three Lions skipper seems to be Superman when it comes to rehab and has already sorted himself out.

With Ollie Watkins out injured, the timing is perfect for Kane to come back in and start up top.

But will Tuchel risk him?

Things are finally coming together for Thomas Tuchel.

It's fair to say, not everybody was a fan of the German being in the job at both the start of his reign, but especially in June when the Three Lions lost to Senegal.

It wasn't just the defeat at the City Ground that day, but the manner of it. While it was only the first loss of his reign, England had been boring to watch in every single match he took charge of.

But oh, how things have changed.

After handing out a few thumpings over the past month, you can say that the vibes are truly back in the England camp. Everything's coming up, Millhouse, at last.

They have won all five of their World Cup qualifiers so far and have yet to even concede a goal. Can they make it six tonight and maintain their 100 per cent record?

The World Cup beckons.

You know that Green Day song about the US? No, not American Idiot...

'Back in the USA, for a small town serenade with fireworks on display.'

Those lyrics are from their song Back in the USA - not like it's made obvious by those lyrics, cough cough - and this song may be ringing around England's dressing room if things go well tonight.

England are just one win away from securing a place in next year's World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada.

If they beat Latvia tonight, their tickets will be booked.

I'm hoping that whatever happens this evening, we get fireworks on display like Green Day belt out in their banger of a tune.

One small step for the players, a giant step for England... get it?

Anyway, let's get this show on the road.