England tore through a hapless Wales side with ruthless ease at Wembley as Thomas Tuchel’s men delivered another sparkling performance that left their rivals shell-shocked.
The England boss stuck with the same line-up that thrashed Serbia 5-0 in Belgrade last month and his faith was repaid handsomely. The Three Lions flew out of the blocks and had the game wrapped up before Wales could even catch their breath.
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers got the party started after just three minutes, slotting home from close range after Marc Guehi’s smart low cross. Rogers, who dazzled in Serbia, looked like he had been playing international football for years. His club team-mate Ollie Watkins doubled the lead eight minutes later, pouncing in the box to make it 2-0 and cement his claim to the striker’s role in Harry Kane’s absence.
Wembley erupted again when Bukayo Saka made it three with a moment of magic. The Arsenal winger cut inside and whipped a glorious left-foot strike into the top corner to become the club’s all-time leading England scorer with 13 goals.
England could have had more. Rogers smacked the post after the break and the hosts eased off the gas, content to control the game while a disjointed Wales huffed and puffed without ever threatening to spoil the night.
Tuchel’s side looked confident, composed and creative. Every attack carried menace. Every move oozed belief. The German coach’s methods are clearly taking hold, and the players are responding with goals and swagger.
Wales boss Craig Bellamy will be glad to see the back of this one. His team looked flat and distracted, perhaps with one eye on their vital World Cup qualifier against Belgium on Monday. England, meanwhile, march on to Riga to face Latvia on Tuesday with spirits soaring and momentum firmly on their side.
Rogers was the standout once again, scoring his first goal for his country and helping to create the second before striking the woodwork. Watkins also impressed before being forced off at half-time after a painful collision with the post.
At the other end, Jordan Pickford made history. The Everton keeper surpassed Gordon Banks’ long-standing record by keeping his eighth consecutive clean sheet for England. He produced two fine stops in the second half to deny David Brooks and Chris Mepham and preserve his new landmark.
England were slick, sharp and unstoppable. The scoreline could have been heavier and Tuchel will know tougher challenges await, but this was another statement night for the Three Lions who look ready for anything the qualifiers throw at them.