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Reece James Scores World-Class Free-Kick As England Beat Latvia 3-0 In World Cup Qualifying Clash 6d4i51
Kieran Lynch is a sports writer specialising in football and Formula One. He is a sports journalism graduate of Leeds Trinity University and completed a Press Association NCTJ course in Newcastle. He previously worked as a news reporter for the Eastern Daily Press in Norfolk and spent five years as a sports writer at the MailOnline.
Get to know Kieran Lynch betterPublished24 Mar 2025
Reece James scored an exquisite free-kick, before Harry Kane and Eberechi Eze sealed a 3-0 win for England over Latvia on Monday night, and you can watch the full highlights below.
Three Lions Make It Two Wins Out Of Two Under Thomas Tuchel 4j313m
Looking to build on the momentum from England welcomed Latvia to Wembley Stadium and were expected to pick up a comfortable victory in World Cup qualifying action.
There were four changes to the starting XI that played against Albania. Reece James, Marc Guehi, Jarrod Bowen and Morgan Rogers all stepped into the frame.
It was a frustrating start for England who struggled to break down a side ranked No 140 in the world.
Latia even nearly took a shock lead after a mix-up at the back with Jordan Pickford and Marc Guehi. However, both men were let off as Vladislavs Gutkovskis steered his shot wide of the post.
That mistake seemed to light a fuse in the Three Lions. Ezri Konsa forced a brilliant save from Latvia goalkeeper Krisjanis Zviedris before Harry Kane headed over the bar.
Then Reece James found the back of the net after 38 minutes with a stunning free-kick, the highlight of England’s evening against Latvia.
Injuries have hampered James’ playing time over recent years and this was his first start since September 2022 – the same month that Tuchel was replaced as Chelsea manager by Graham Potter.
England were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men in the second-half. Jude Bellingham made a rash challenge when already on a yellow card and was fortunate to escape a second booking.
The Three Lions doubled their lead mid-way into the second-half after a lovely team goal. Marcus Rashford and Morgan Rogers were involved in the build-up with the latter finding Declan Rice, who swept it into the path of Harry Kane to smash home from three-yards out.
Eberechi Eze then added a third after he twisted and turned inside the Latvia box before firing home.
WATCH: England 3-0 Latvia Highlights 3x5tp
England won’t be back in action now until the summer at the end of the Premier League season.
Thomas Tuchel’s side travel to Andorra for their next World Cup qualifier on June 7. They then face Senegal in a friendly three days later at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.