Alexander-Arnold impresses during Three Lions victory in Prague

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While second half goals by Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane were enough to seal victory for England, following Pavel Sulc’s 25th minute red card for the home side, it was the Real Madrid right-back who caught the eye.

While the victory was merited, Tuchel’s side laboured against their well-drilled opponents’ 10 men for long spells in a disjointed first half, as the Three Lions picked up their first win in this season’s Nations League. That was until the former Premier League title winner with Liverpool set up Gordon for the opener moments after the interval.

Alexander-Arnold intercepted a home cross before feeding Morgan Rogers, while powering forward to supplement the attack. As the momentum stalled, the 27-year-old intelligently remained as an option high up the field. As Rogers pressed Lukas Cerv to win back possession, Alexander-Arnold raced to gather the ball, prior to whipping in a superb cross with pace and accuracy for Gordon to head home to break the deadlock against their obdurate opponents. It was to prove a pivotal moment.

Speaking after the match, Tuchel said: “He [Alexander-Arnold] did very well. He had an excellent assist. Overall, like everyone, he was professional, top attitude and one decisive action.

“We never doubted that he can produce these kinds of assists. The deeper position in the second half suited him more than the higher position in the first half.”

Ahead of kick-off there was warm applause from the entire stadium for former Czech international goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko, after the former West Ham servant sadly passed away aged 64 earlier this month.

There was drama on 25 minutes, when, following a VAR check, referee Umut Meler sent off Sulc after a challenge that caught Anderson on his shin, the Turkish official upgrading his original award of a caution for the 2025 Czech Footballer of the Year.

After a gloriously sunny late September’s day in the beguiling Czech capital, in front of a noisy crowd of 18,930 which included around 1,100 travelling England fans, Gordon’s sixth international goal in 27 matches — with Alexander-Arnold’s help at the start of the second half — sparked Tuchel’s side to victory.

Shortly afterwards left-back Lewis Hall, another defensive player to impress, steered his shot wide, following a swift counter that saw the Newcastle defender dovetail well with former colleague Gordon along the left flank. Hall was to lift another effort high over the bar on 57 minutes as England dominated, albeit unconvincingly against the 10 men. Hall was nothing if not determined, another surging run moments later, saw Bukayo Saka turn the defender’s cross onto the post.

However, the three points were confirmed when Bayern Munich captain Kane netted his 87th strike in 132 matches for his country.

Tuchel’s side now travel to Croatia for Saturday’s clash, prior to hosting the Czechs in the return fixture at Wembley next Tuesday evening.

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