The first international window of 2025-26 has come to a close. Here’s some of the main takeaways.
ENGLAND CAN BE GOOD – WHO KNEW?
Saturday’s drab 2-0 win over Andorra did little to stem the criticism directed at England boss Thomas Tuchel. The Three Lions bossed the ball but had just 11 shots against the minnows at Villa Park, and one of their goals was an own goal. There was little in the way of invention or entertainment.
Yet against Serbia on Tuesday, England showed what they can do in a 5-0 victory. Tuchel’s side have all but qualified for next year’s World Cup, so now it’s the time for the German to really start to be brave in his selections. Whether he will change tact or not remains to be seen, and not every game can be full of goals, but the pedestrian pace at which England have operated in much of his games so far will get them nowhere.
MBAPPE CLOSES IN ON GIROUD
Kylian Mbappe has now surpassed Thierry Henry to become France’s second all-time leading goalscorer.
The Real Madrid star has netted 52 international goals, one more than Henry managed across his illustrious career. Now only Olivier Giroud (57 goals) stands in Mbappe’s way.
Mbappe will break the record, barring a miraculous dip in form or an early international retirement, so the only question really is what his final tally will be, and how far clear he will be of the rest.
SPAIN STORM ON
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