Anthony Gordon fires England into World Cup finals | OneFootball

Anthony Gordon can be well pleased with his performance, as the final scoreline read Latvia 0 England 5.

The Newcastle United star firing England into the 2026 World Cup finals.

A long ball from Stones down the left saw Anthony Gordon chase it down, still it with it all to do the winger came inside and going past a couple of defenders he curled an excellent low finish into the bottom right corner.

The 26th minute goal (watch it below) setting England on their way to yet another win and automatic qualification as group winners.

Anthony Gordon with an excellent all round performance and the goal will do no harm to his confidence as he now returns to Tyneside to prepare for Newcastle’s match at Brighton on Saturday.

Harry Kane added two more goals in the closing minutes of the first half, one of those a penalty.

An own goal on 58 minutes and a late 86th minute finish from Eze, completed the scoring.

Visitors to the BBC Sport site were asked to give their England player ratings against Latvia:

As you can see, Anthony Gordon only marginally denied the fans MOTM rating by the England captain.

With 20 minutes to go, a double substitution saw Dan Burn replace Stones and Rashford come on for Anthony Gordon.

This is how European qualifying group K looks on Wednesday (15 October 2025) morning:

As you can see, England have already won the group, seven points clear and two matches still to play.

England the first European country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals.

Barring injury, I think Anthony Gordon and Dan Burn will for sure be named in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for next summer’s finals.

A case now of who else from the Newcastle United squad will join them on the plane. For starters, hopefully Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento will be back sooner rather than later from injury for NUFC and once again show why they should make it back into the England squad.

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

Thursday 9 October

England 3 Wales 0

Anthony Gordon with an excellent first half, as did most of his teammates. England roared into a 3-0 lead after only 20 minutes and then as the game went on, they coasted to victory and countless subs made. Gordon the only one of the front six to play the full game, whilst Dan Burn an unused sub.

Friday 10 October

South Korea 0 Brazil 5

A world class assist from Bruno Guimaraes setting up Estevao to score the opener in this friendly. Joelinton remaining on the bench for the entirety of the game, Bruno subbed off on 79 minutes.

Germany 4  Luxembourg 0

An excellent team performance with Nick Woltemade leading the line for Germany.

The Newcastle United striker didn’t score himself but led the line so well, with link up play and his all round game helping to deliver a commanding victory in this World Cup group qualifier.

Sweden 0 Switzerland 2

Newcastle’s Anthony Elanga watching on from the bench as this must win World Cup group qualifier ended in defeat.

Sweden standing next to no chance now of appearing at the 2026 finals.

With three group games still left to play, Sweden eight points behind Switzerland.

Saturday 11 October

Estonia 1 Italy 3

Sandro Tonali bossing this World Cup group qualifier, rated man of the match across the Italian media and Football Italia perfectly summing up his brilliant performance…

‘Italy had a few strong performers tonight but the Newcastle United man was in a league of his own today. Harking back to the iconic Italian centre-mids of yore, the 25-year-old showed his class this evening.’

Monday 13 October

Northern Ireland 0 Germany 1

What a moment for Nick Woltemade to get his first goal for Germany in this World Cup group qualifier. The only goal of the game as the Newcastle United striker rises highest to head (‘slight’ suspicion it came off his shoulder…) home in the 31st minute. A tough night in Belfast, a real battle, but Germany now in such a strong position top of their group with only two games to play, only the group winners will automatically qualify for the 2026 finals. Nick Woltemade putting in a 92 minute shift and only subbed off in the dying seconds.

Sweden 0 Kosovo 1

An embarrassing home defeat for Sweden and left bottom of the table with one point after four games and only two matches left to play. Anthony Elanga named on the bench for this World Cup group qualifier and watched on as Sweden trailed 1-0 at half-time, though it could have been 2-0 as Kosovo also hit the post. Elanga one of three subs made at the break and he sparked Sweden belatedly into life, putting a series of quality crosses in but Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak wasting chance after chance.

Tuesday 14 October

Japan 3 Brazil 2

A brilliant pass from Bruno Guimaraes set up the opening goal but somehow Brazil ending up losing this friendly after leading 2-0. Bruno replaced by NUFC teammate Joelinton on 57 minutes as part of a triple substitution when Brazil 2-1 up. A defensive nightmare from those at the back for all three Japan goals. Joelinton almost rescuing a draw in the final seconds but his effort from outside the box saved in the top corner.

Latvia 0 England 5

Anthony Gordon fired England into the 2026 World Cup finals, scoring the opening goal in this demolition job that guarantees England top their group with two games still to play. England the first European side to qualify for the 2026 finals. Kane got the second and third goals before half-time with an own goal and a late one from Eze completing the scoring. Rashford replaced Gordon with 20 minutes to go and at the same time Stones went off and Dan Burn picked up another cap.