England maintain 100% record with win over Andorra | OneFootball

England made it four wins from four in World Cup qualifying with a 2-0 victory over Andorra at Villa Park, though once again it took patience to break down stubborn resistance.

Christian Garcia’s first-half own goal gave Thomas Tuchel’s side the breakthrough, before Declan Rice added a second with a header midway through the second half to tighten England’s grip on Group K.

Slow start, fortunate opener

The evening followed a familiar pattern when facing one of Europe’s minnows: near-total possession for England, bodies behind the ball for Andorra. For all their control, the hosts struggled to carve out clear chances early on, with Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze both seeing efforts blocked.

The breakthrough came on 25 minutes, albeit via a slice of luck. Madueke’s cross from the right was met not by a white shirt but by centre-back Garcia, whose attempted clearance instead looped past his own goalkeeper Iker Álvarez.

The visitors did muster one half-chance through Cucu, who dragged an effort wide from distance, but they spent long stretches pinned inside their own third.

Anderson impresses on debut

Tuchel handed a first cap to Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, and just after the restart, the debutant thought he had marked the occasion with a goal, only for Álvarez to produce an outstanding save to tip his strike away.

Moments later, Eze and Marcus Rashford both went close, the former denied again by Álvarez and the latter shooting over from close range.

Rice makes sure

The decisive moment arrived in the 67th minute. Reece James sent in a teasing cross from the right. Rice rose highest at the far post to nod home, finally giving the hosts some breathing space.

Tuchel rang the changes soon after, handing minutes to Anthony Gordon, Morgan Rogers, Tino Livramento and Ezri Konsa, while Andorra shuffled their pack in an effort to stem the tide.

Morgan Gibbs-White came close to adding a third late on, only to be denied again by Álvarez, who kept the scoreline respectable.

What it means

Victory leaves England five points clear at the summit of Group K with four wins from four under Tuchel.

Next up is a trip to Belgrade for what promises to be their sternest test yet against second-placed Serbia. Andorra, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom after five straight defeats and travel to Estonia for a friendly on Tuesday.