Three Lions Roar, But Are Tuchel’s England Lacking Bite?

Reece James and Eberechi Eze finally had their moments of magic, but is this England side really World Cup material? The Three Lions brushed aside Latvia 3-0 at Wembley, yet the performance left fans debating whether Thomas Tuchel’s men have the firepower to conquer the world—or if they’re just another overhyped squad running on reputation.

Chelsea’s James, making his long-awaited return to the starting XI, reminded the world why he was once England’s next big thing. A stunning free-kick in the 38th minute—pure precision, pure class—finally lifted a restless Wembley crowd more entertained by launching paper planes than England’s sluggish attack. James himself admitted the frustration of his injury-plagued career but reveled in his redemption moment: “I was a bit surprised it hit the net.”

But despite the scoreline, England’s performance screamed struggle. Another game, another labored attempt to break down a low-block defense. Captain Harry Kane eventually tapped in his 71st England goal after Declan Rice’s unselfish setup, but it was anything but a masterclass from the Euro 2020 finalists.

Then came the spark: Eze. The Crystal Palace winger replaced an uninspiring Jarrod Bowen and lit up the pitch with dazzling footwork, a fearless drive, and an audaciously deflected strike in the 76th minute. The goal capped off a dream cameo, leaving fans calling for him to start over England’s usual suspects.

Latvia, ranked a lowly 140th, had a golden chance to embarrass England when Vladislavs Gutkovskis found himself staring at an open goal. Instead of etching his name into Latvian folklore, he bottled it, striking the side netting—perhaps a moment that spared England an avalanche of criticism.

Tuchel, animated and agitated on the touchline, knows his side needs more than possession dominance and hopeful crosses—41 in total—to beat the world’s elite. England top Group K with six points, but with only the group winners earning an automatic ticket to North America 2026, there’s no room for complacency. Is this team truly evolving under Tuchel, or is England simply grinding out wins against opposition they should be demolishing?

One thing is clear: If England wants to lift that elusive World Cup trophy, they need more than just moments of brilliance. They need dominance.