Not even Lee Dixon and Sam Matterface could ruin this – Serbia 0 England 5 | OneFootball

Watching Serbia 0 England 5 last night…

I approached it the same as every other single group qualifier or friendly.

Zero expectation of being entertained, knowing I would want to kick the TV in due to listening to Lee Dixon and Sam Matterface, whilst England struggle to an unconvincing one or two goal win.

Yet only one of those three things was the reality last night.

I was very much entertained and and the 5-0 victory was anything but a struggle for England.

Even Lee Dixon and Sam Matterface couldn’t ruin this one, no matter how hard they tried.

Could this be the start of something very different when watching the national side, is Serbia 0 England 5 a sign of a more positive future?

Maybe it will prove to be just a false dawn, a one-off last night.

Maybe though Sam Matterface inadvertently pointed to how this just might be a sign of better things to come with England.

As they coasted to success, Matterface started listing all the players who would usually be in the squad but who were missing, mainly through injury. The obvious implication was that this Serbia 0 England 5 match was great…but just imagine how much even better it will then be when these usual suspects are available.

Hmmm. Just maybe, England played well so last night because those players weren’t playing!

Matterface actually listed Phil Foden. I can’t remember him ever playing well for England. Constant sideways passing and backwards, no great pace, no great pressing of the opposition, no creativity or dynamism.

He also listed Cole Palmer, who again, I don’t think does it for England. Even Bellingham, a great player for Real Madrid but apart from the odd moment of quality with England…

Bukayo Saka maybe the exception in this quartet but just possibly Thomas Tuchel has hit on the right formula, even if it is accidentally! If you are being harsh…

Serbia aren’t great but they are no mugs and under Southgate, in last year’s Euros they were better than England who fluked a result. Serbia have also had a decent recent record. Obviously the likes of Spain are the real class and still way ahead of England I think, then France when they can be bothered, Portugal are good, probably Argentina, however, just maybe England can close the gap if they play enterprising football with the right personnel.

Lifelong Newcastle United fan and sadly now former NUFC player, Elliot Anderson, made it two man of the match awards in his first two caps. Yet Matterface and Dixon would probably not even blink if next match he was replaced by one of the usual suspects once they are fully fit.

Anderson and Rogers were excellent in midfield, dynamic and positive. No surprise maybe that then we had the rare sight of Rice having a top class game for England.

On the wings Gordon and Madueke led the way, high pressing at pace and running at their opponent time after time, Serbia couldn’t cope with them.

Harry Kane actually had a rare better match and moved about a bit, the positivity and movement of the others maybe rubbing off on him. England maybe only a younger and more mobile centre-forward away from an exciting front six in midfield and attack.

England untroubled at the back and of course I am going to want to be positive about him BUT how good was Tino Livramento??? Whether he plays on the left or right, for Newcastle United and England, he is so so good. Just one of many outstanding Eddie Howe signings.

It is funny how quickly we have become accustomed as Newcastle fans to having numerous players turning out for England once again. The Eddie Howe magic at work again, Dan Burn sat this one out but played in the win over Andorra. Whilst the likes of Lewis Hall, Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson and Nick Pope have all been involved with England in recent times under Howe.

Obviously Newcastle United is the (only!) priority but a nice bonus if in summer 2026 we see Newcastle United players performing at the 2026 World Cup finals, maybe playing alongside the Newcastle United fan that NUFC were forced to sell due to PSR…

Final score:

Serbia 0 England 5

Goals:

Kane 33, Madueke 35, Konsa 52, Guehi 75, Rashford 90 pen

England team v Serbia:

Pickford, James (Spence 69), Rice (J Henderson 81), Konsa, Guehi, Gordon (Rashford 69), Kane (Watkins 76), Rogers, Livramento, Madueke (Bowen 76), Anderson

Subs:

Quansah, Eze, Burn, D Henderson, Gibbs-White, Loftus-Cheek, Trafford

This is the September 2025 international schedule for Newcastle United players:

Thursday 4 September

Slovakia 2 Germany 0

Nick Woltemade making his third appearance for Germany but starved of service. Germany missing many of their best players, especially creatively. Germany deservedly beaten in their opening World Cup group qualifier. Rudiger and Tah especially poor in defence.

Friday 5 September

Brazil 3 Chile 0

Bruno Guimaraes putting in a top class performance in this dominant World Cup group qualifier victory. Topping it off by scoring the third and final goal, Bruno rated man of the match. Joelinton not named in the matchday squad and it appears he has stayed in Newcastle to make sure he comes back from injury against Wolves in eight days time.

Slovenia 2 Sweden 2

Emil Krafth remained on the bench as Sweden drew their first of six World Cup group qualifying matches. Anthony Elanga with a very good performance and scored a top quality goal when running from the halfway line, playing a one-two and applying a class finish, to give Sweden the lead on 18 minutes. Having departed as part of a double substitution on 64 minutes at 1-1, Anthony Elanga watching on from the bench as Sweden once again took the lead, only for heartbreak as a last gasp bit of poor defending allowed Slovenia a 90th minute equaliser.

South Sudan 1 DR Congo 4

Great news for Newcastle United and DR Congo, as Yoane Wissa looking good fitness-wise and in form. An assist and a goal, then subbed when 4-0 up to save him for Tuesday’s massive game against Senegal,, which could well decide which of the two qualifies for the 2026 World Cup finals.

Italy 5 Estonia 0

A typical quality all action display from Sandro Tonali. A match that Italy had to win and which they did very convincingly. The United midfielder one of a number of players rested once the match was won, Tonali subbed off at 3-0 on 76 minutes.

Denmark 0 Scotland 0

A first senior call up for Will Osula but the Newcastle United forward watched from the bench, as Denmark failing to score and disappointed not to win an opening World Cup group qualifying match they could and should have won.

Saturday 6 September

England 2 Andorra 0

The Newcastle United trio did themselves no harm in this tedious victory. Dan Burn probably had more touches than any other player as Andorra camped in their own half, the Newcastle defender never troubled in defence as he played the full game and was a threat at corners a couple of times, though most of the crosses were woeful. A first half own goal and a good second-half Rice header from a James cross, were the goals that earned the win. Gordon and Livramento were given the last 20 minutes and helped inject a little bit more spark and intensity, along with fellow subs Rogers and Gibbs-White.

Sunday 7 September

Germany 3 Northern Ireland 1

A vital win for Germany in this World Cup group qualifier and it took Nick Woltemade just seven minutes to make his mark. The Newcastle United striker playing in Serge Gnabry to give the home side the lead. Only for West Brom’s Isaac Price to grab a 34th minute equaliser for Northern Ireland. Germany’s goalscorer Gnabry and Woltemade who provided the assist, were both subbed off after an hour. Eventually Amiri and Wirtz getting the goals that ensured victory.

Monday 8 September

Israel 4 Italy 5

What a night for Sandro Tonali and Italy.

A must win World Cup group qualifier and they did it, eventually! Italy trailing 1-0 and 2-1, then led 4-2 when reaching the 87th minute, only to then end up 4-4 in the 89th minute.

Then came the moment, Sandro Tonali coming in off the left touchline and his shot from outside the box and across the keeper into the far bottom corner! Astonishing scenes.

Kosovo 2 Sweden 0

A disastrous result that surely all but ends Sweden’s chance of finishing top of the group and qualifying automatically for the 2026 World Cup. With four rounds of matches left, Switzerland are five points clear of Sweden and Fabian Schar’s countrymen look nailed on to take that automatic qualification place. Kosovo went 2-0 up inside 42 minutes and Anthony Elanga not able to make enough difference. He gave it everything but was eventually replaced by a clearly far from match fit Alexander Isak on 72 minutes, Tomasson having said previously that lack of football and group training at club level in recent months meaning he couldn’t play the striker. A desperate move with 18 minutes to go to throw an ineffective and unfit Isak on anyway. Emil Krafth also coming off the bench in that second-half, picking up a yellow card, as did Alexander Isak.

Greece 0 Denmark 3

Will Osula watched on from the bench as this superb win puts Denmark in a great position to qualify for the World Cup finals next summer.

Kazakhstan Under 21s 0 England Under 21s 2

Lewis Miley helping the young three lions to a 2-0 victory over Kazakhstan U 21s. First half goals from Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri and Jobe Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund ensuring the victory. The Newcastle United 19 year old midfielder eventually subbed on 76 minutes as England Under 21s coasted to the win.

Tuesday 9 September

DR Congo 2 Senegal 3

A nightmare blow for Yoane Wissa and DR Congo.

The Newcastle striker putting his side 2-0 up in this vital World Cup group qualifier, only for Senegal to come back and win 3-2 with an 87th minute winner. With two rounds of group games to go, that late goal means DR Congo have gone from favourites to win the group and go to the 2026 World Cup finals, to now needing Senegal to mess up in their last two matches.

Serbia 0 England 5

Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento both excellent in this World Cup group qualifier. Livarmento playing the entire match, whilst Gordon was subbed off with the game won at 3-0 and twenty minutes to go. Dan Burn sitting this one out after playing in the win over Andorra.