Prague offered Anthony Gordon another sharp, restless night. The Barcelona winger carried his club form into international football, scoring England’s first goal as Thomas Tuchel’s side beat the Czech Republic 2-0 in Nations League A Group 3.
Gordon brings Barcelona rhythm to England
Gordon has yet to score in six La Liga appearances for Barcelona, but he has already supplied five assists. His impact for England has been more direct: after scoring in Saturday’s 3-2 Wembley defeat to Spain, he struck again on Tuesday.
- Gordon headed England in front two minutes after half-time, meeting Trent Alexander-Arnold’s delivery with a diagonal header in the 47th minute.
- Alexander-Arnold marked his first England appearance since June 2025 with the assist.
- Working from the left, Gordon repeatedly unsettled the Czech defence and helped create several of England’s best openings.
- Morgan Rogers hit the post in the 16th minute after being found by Gordon, then sent another effort narrowly wide late in the match.
- Gordon curled a shot over in the 22nd minute, tested Matej Kovar from a difficult angle on 32 minutes and nearly forced Adam Karabec into an own goal six minutes later.
Red card changes the shape of the contest
England had been building pressure when the Czech Republic were reduced to 10 men in the 25th minute. Pavel Sulc was dismissed after catching Elliot Anderson with a heavy challenge, leaving the home side to defend for more than an hour.
The visitors struck the woodwork twice during the evening, while the Czech Republic also came close to scoring at the wrong end. Ladislav Krejci nearly put the ball beyond his own goalkeeper in the 61st minute, only for the post to intervene.
Kane seals the points and Trafford ends the run
Harry Kane made England’s superiority count in the 69th minute. The Bayern Munich forward drove a left-footed finish into the net after the ball had broken loose in the penalty area, making it 2-0.
- Kane’s goal was his 87th for England.
- It came in his 123rd appearance for the national team.
- James Trafford preserved the clean sheet by turning away Adam Hlozek’s long-range attempt in the 77th minute.
- England had conceded in each of their previous seven matches before the win in Prague.
Tuchel’s team left the Czech capital with their first victory of this Nations League Group 3 campaign, powered by Gordon’s pace and invention before Kane supplied the familiar finishing touch.
