Summary

Reaction to World Cup qualifiers

  1. 'A performance we can be proud of'published at 09:09 GMT

    England 2-0 Serbia

    England

    England goalscorer Bukayo Saka, speaking to ITV: "It was a performance we can be proud of, we got the win and we played well."

    On if his volley was his best yet for England: "Maybe, it's top two. It was a nice strike, I was happy it went in."

    On his message to the bench after his goal: "I just wanted to change my boots, that's all."

    On the World Cup qualifying campaign under Thomas Tuchel: "It's been very successful, we've won every game and we want to keep building on that."

    Bukayo Saka strikes the ball with his left foot.Image source, Getty Images
  2. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Tom is only 3'published at 09:04 GMT

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    Did you know Tom (08:34) is only 3.

    Jim, Merseyside

  3. Marcus Rashford - a guaranteed starter?published at 09:01 GMT

    England 2-0 Serbia

    England

    Marcus Rashford hasn't exactly been a mainstay for England, but his sublime form for Barcelona this season has led to Thomas Tuchel involving him in every England game since the start of the season.

    However, the competition is fierce. Last night, he started for the Three Lions and worked hard, but Eberechi Eze’s performance has reignited the question of whether Rashford is still an automatic starter in major games.

    On a night where England were fluid and sharp, Rashford looked more like a rotation option than a locked-in starter.

  4. Eberechi Eze better than Rashford?published at 08:57 GMT

    England 2-0 Serbia

    Eze in action for EnglandImage source, Getty Images

    Eberechi Eze was outstanding in the 2-0 win over Serbia, scoring in stoppage time and looking like England’s most natural left-sided attacker throughout. His ability to glide past players, link with Jude Bellingham and carry the ball through pressure gave England a completely different dynamic.

    Some fans are already asking the question: on current form, is Eze ahead of Marcus Rashford in that left-wing pecking order? Last night certainly added weight to the argument.

  5. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Eze ahead of Rashford'published at 08:53 GMT

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    On this evidence Eze is ahead of Rashford and Rogers is a talent with much potential.

    Simon, Devon

  6. Eze's stats against Serbiapublished at 08:50 GMT

    England 2-0 Serbia

    Eze's stats against Serbia

    Eberechi Eze's goal wasn’t just a moment of individual brilliance - it was confirmation of how comfortably the Arsenal player now fits into this England team.

    Playing in his preferred left-sided role, he constantly drifted into pockets Serbia couldn’t track.

    This is now several England games in a row where he’s looked composed and influential, and the numbers from last night back it up.

  7. 'Competition for places will help the team'published at 08:45 GMT

    England 2-0 Serbia

    England

    England goalscorer Eberechi Eze, speaking to ITV: "Another good performance. I'm happy to score and help the team which is important."

    On if Phil Foden's assist was key to his goal: "It was. These types of players are always going to put the ball in the right position."

    On the competition for the number 10 spot: "There's a lot of talent in the team. You can see the players here and the types that aren't here as well. It's the type of competition you want to be up against and it is going to help the team for sure."

    On England's World Cup hopes: "We have to be confident, we have to believe it's possible. It's working day by day to achieve that goal."

  8. 'It's about building a team'published at 08:40 GMT

    England 2-0 Serbia

    Media caption,

    England 2-0 Serbia:- It's about building a team - Tuchel

    England manager Thomas Tuchel addressed the challenge of managing so much top-level talent in his post-match press conference, admitting that his job is not simply to build a starting XI, but to build a cohesive team, and that competition for places is exactly what he wants.

  9. Postpublished at 08:38 GMT

    Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport

    Phwoar, that is some statement Tom.

    You're lucky folk can't bookmark things on here but I do love the optimism.

    Let's hear some final words from the boss now before seeing what Thursday night's goal scorers had to say.

  10. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Most confident I have been heading into a World Cup'published at 08:34 GMT

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    Solid performance last night. Always going to be tough when we've already qualified and Serbia needed a result, but no real scares in there. Very confident Tuchel is the right man for the job. The most confident I have been heading into a World Cup in my lifetime.

    Tom, Derby

  11. get involved

    Get Involved - 'You can tell Tuchel cares and has a plan'published at 08:30 GMT

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    People who criticise Tuchel just don't like the idea of a foreigner in charge of England. You can tell he cares and has a plan unlike every previous English England manager who were there to just pick the 11 best players on paper and hope they won.

    Matt, Leeds

  12. 'Foden an option to share minutes with Kane'published at 08:26 GMT

    England 2-0 Serbia

    England

    England manager Thomas Tuchel, speaking about Phil Foden being used as a false-9: "He was excellent. You can see he is full of confidence. He showed it.

    "I like to have him in centre of pitch in close connection with other players. He did well. It is a big ask to challenge Harry [Kane] at the moment. He is in the shape of his life. But to be an accomplice and share some minutes, then he is an option.

    "You can see he is full of confidence. You can see it in the first minutes when you meet him. You feel he is light and he is smiling. His movements are a joy to watch, you can see he is competitive."

    He added: "Phil is in good shape and Phil can make any team better in an offensive position.

    "In a central position that is my belief and my trust - he is all smiles. He is full of confidence and you see it in the first touches and the movement."

    Phil Foden is given instructions by manager Thomas Tuchel before being brought on as a substitute.Image source, Getty Images
  13. 'Against stronger opposition England could have conceded'published at 08:20 GMT

    England 2-0 Serbia

    Phil Jones
    Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I think it was a dominant performance without it being a vintage England performance.

    England created quite a few chances on a number of occasions.

    I do think there was a 15 minute spell where Serbia had a a couple of chances and against stronger opposition England could have conceded a goal.

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    Get Involved - 'Things are looking promising'published at 08:16 GMT

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    Keep hearing we can't break down stubborn defences. Serbia are notorious for their stubborn defence. And we've put 7 past them in 2 games... Things are looking promising!

    Ed, Jersey

  15. 'Rogers deserved to stay on the pitch'published at 08:12 GMT

    England 2-0 Serbia

    England

    England boss Thomas Tuchel, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about Morgan Rogers starting over Jude Bellingham: "It is normal, but he's one of the best mates of Jude, so I don't think he feels that kind of pressure.

    "They compete at the moment for the same position and they're still friends. They are very respectful with each other and like each other. Morgan deserved to stay on the pitch because he had three fantastic performances with him and second of all we didn't know what was coming if our plan was right with the high press.

    "It would be unfair for Jude to try figure everything out because we changed our way of pressing in the last two camps. Declan [Rice], Morgan [Rogers] and Harry [Kane] did it already in three-four matches together.

    "I figured they could adapt a bit quicker. Once we see the formation we can give clear instructions to Phil and Jude and bring them from the bench."

    Morgan Rogers in action for England against Serbia.Image source, Getty Images
  16. 'It was never going to be easy for England'published at 08:07 GMT

    England 2-0 Serbia

    Paul Robinson
    Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    It was a performance from a team that was shuffled about.

    England are playing against tough opposition. Serbia have only lost three of their last 27 World Cup qualifiers away from home.

    It was always going to be a tough ask - they're a team who are wounded by England's 5-0 win in Serbia.

    It was never going to be easy for England.

  17. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Wharton/Anderson partnership?'published at 08:03 GMT

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    Brilliant performance, how about we try a Wharton/Anderson partnership!

    Josh, Nottinghamshire

  18. 'It is not about building a starting eleven, it is about building a team'published at 07:57 GMT

    England 2-0 Serbia

    England

    England boss Thomas Tuchel on the impact of his substitutes: "We had good impact from bench straight away. We brought on quality players and they wanted to show what they could do. They created chances, half chances and scored in the end. You could see the impact and it has to stay like this.

    "It is not about building starting eleven. It is about building a team and they buy into it. Put ego behind them because it is the right thing to do for the team."

  19. 'The game got a little too open'published at 07:52 GMT

    England 2-0 Serbia

    England

    England boss Thomas Tuchel, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "Yes, I liked it [the performance]. It was difficult – sometimes a bit too open, sometimes we had to defend with everything we had, sometimes we needed a bit of luck to force them to shoot wide.

    "It is good if everything is not as easy - so we had to wait very long until the decisive goal. Then to make it safe. That is good for us - the effort was good. First half I was very happy with the first half. In the second half we didn't get the pressing always right.

    "The game got a little too open because they escaped in a deep build-up against us and had fast attacks that we could completely control in the first half.

    "Compliments to the back four. They had to work hard and be focused all the time. Serbia has individual qualities and is also a physical team. They came with a new energy, so well done."

    Thomas Tuchel gestures with his arms during England's match against Serbia.Image source, Getty Images
  20. Postpublished at 07:50 GMT

    Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport

    Lovely assist, Jeremy. Let's hear from the England boss now...