Did England Fall Back into Old Habits Against Andorra?
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Synopsis
New Delhi, Sep 7 (NationPress) - In a recent FIFA World Cup Qualifier, former Manchester United star Roy Keane criticized England’s performance despite their win against Andorra, mentioning a regression in their style of play. Coach Thomas Tuchel remains hopeful about the team's future, highlighting areas that need improvement.
Key Takeaways
- Roy Keane expressed concerns about England's performance.
- England maintained their perfect record under Thomas Tuchel.
- An own goal and a header secured the win against Andorra.
- Tuchel remains optimistic about the team's development.
- Key players need to improve decision-making and execution.
New Delhi, Sep 7 (NationPress) Former Manchester United defender Roy Keane expressed his disappointment with England's display during their 2-0 victory over Andorra in the FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, suggesting the team had reverted to their previous habits.
In Group K, England maintained their flawless record under Thomas Tuchel, comfortably overcoming Andorra. An early own goal from Christian Garcia set the stage for the Three Lions, with Declan Rice solidifying the win with a header in the second half.
"The manager didn’t seem pleased at the conclusion. He’s likely frustrated again with the performance in the second half. We're aiming to establish high standards and good habits. I still believe England fell back into their old ways tonight, especially in the second half, with too many sideways and backward passes.
"The two goals we scored, especially the second, were quite straightforward, resulting from a cross. They need to simplify the game and focus on crossing more rather than overcomplicating things. I still think they retreat too often," Keane remarked on ITV.
Despite the critiques, Tuchel remained optimistic about the team's trajectory.
“I’m very positive about the group that participated in this camp, how they conducted themselves, trained, and played today.
“I’m absolutely convinced we are on the right track and making progress,” said Tuchel in his post-match press briefing.
However, the German coach also pointed out the underwhelming performances of Arsenal pair Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, along with Marcus Rashford from Barcelona.
"We failed to seize the small opportunities to quicken the game. Maybe Ebs didn’t have his best day in the No 10 role. He had trained well but struggled with decision-making.
"Noni's final pass wasn’t sharp enough. Rashford had promising moments but couldn’t convert them into a decisive assist,” he added.
Point of View
I believe that while England's win against Andorra was crucial, it’s essential to address the valid concerns raised by Roy Keane. His insights remind us that consistent improvement is vital for the team, especially as they aim for greater challenges ahead in the FIFA World Cup.
NationPress
07/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Roy Keane say about England's performance?
Roy Keane criticized England for reverting to old habits during their 2-0 victory over Andorra, mentioning excessive sideways and backward passes.
How did Thomas Tuchel respond to the team's performance?
Despite criticism, Thomas Tuchel expressed optimism about the team's progress and highlighted their positive behavior and training.
Who scored the goals for England in the match?
England's goals were scored by an own goal from Christian Garcia and a header from Declan Rice.
What areas did Tuchel identify for improvement?
Tuchel pointed out the need for more decisive passing and quicker decision-making from players like Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze.
Where was the match held?
The match took place in New Delhi.
