In the Czech Republic, England found patience as important as their extra man. Thomas Tuchel’s side left with a 2-0 UEFA Nations League win on Tuesday, 29 September, after a match that changed course with Pavel Šulc’s first-half dismissal but was not settled until Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane struck after the interval.
Šulc was sent off in the 25th minute following a VAR review, leaving the home side to defend a long spell of English possession in the second group-stage round. England could not immediately turn their numerical advantage into a breakthrough, and the contest remained level until the opening minutes of the second half.
The decisive error came from Lukáš Červ, whose attempted pass back towards his defence was intercepted by Trent Alexander-Arnold. The full-back carried the ball forward before delivering early into the area, where Gordon arrived beyond the central defenders. His angled finish from close range made it 1-0 in the 47th minute.
For Gordon, now at Barcelona, it was a second Nations League goal. He had also scored against Spain, a game in which Kane found the net despite missing a penalty. The Bayern Munich striker added England’s second in the 68th minute, taking his own tally in the competition to two and putting the result beyond Czech reach.
Gordon carries his form from club to country
The 25-year-old has continued the attacking influence he showed at the 2026 World Cup, where he registered one goal and four assists. His move to Barcelona was completed after that tournament, and although his first LaLiga goal is still to come, he has supplied five assists for the Catalan club.
Across England and Barcelona appearances this half-season, Gordon has seven direct goal contributions in nine matches: two goals with the national team and five assists in seven outings for the Blaugrana.
England remain on the road for their next Nations League fixture, travelling to Croatia on Saturday, 3 October, with kick-off scheduled for 10:00 Central Mexico time. Czech Republic will meet Spain later the same day, at 12:45 Central Mexico time.
