Category: Sports

  • ‘Disappointed’ Caudery misses out on world indoor medal

    ‘Disappointed’ Caudery misses out on world indoor medal

    Great Britain’s Molly Caudery was unable to defend her women’s pole vault title as she finished fourth at the World Indoor Athletics Championships.

    Gold in Glasgow 12 months ago represented Caudery’s first global title, but the 25-year-old fell agonisingly short of the podium in Nanjing, China.

    In a competition disrupted by technical issues, Caudery – with a season’s best of 4.85m – missed out on a medal on countback after failing to clear 4.75m.

    The British record holder’s second-time vault over 4.70m meant she finished behind silver and bronze medallists Tina Sutej and Angelica Moser, who both made that height at the first attempt, as France’s Marie-Julie Bonnin cleared 4.75m for gold.

    “I’m really disappointed. I wanted to come out here after last year and do something and I know that I’m in shape to do something,” Caudery told BBC Sport.

    “But that competition was really hard. There were a lot of issues and we were waiting for nearly an hour at one point.”

    ‘I feel a bit flat’

    The women’s competition was delayed by around 40 minutes during Saturday’s morning session because of an issue with the technology that lifts the bar.

    Once it resumed, Caudery managed to clear 4.70m – but she could not avoid catching the bar on her way back down in her last two attempts at 4.75m, despite appearing to have ample height.

    Caudrey said she and other competitors struggled with the flow of the competition after the delay – but the Briton did not want to make excuses for her performance.

    “I did clear the bar, which I was really happy with and I’ve never celebrated 4.70m so much, but I think it just threw me off my rhythm,” she said.

    “I’m not putting too much blame on myself. I do wonder, without those technical difficulties, if I could have gone on to jump.

    “But there’s no point thinking about that. I feel a bit flat, to be honest.”

    Caudery failed to qualify for the Olympic final last summer, despite entering Paris 2024 as one of the favourites after a breakthrough season in which she broke Holly Bradshaw’s national record with a vault over 4.92m.

    Eager to use that disappointment to fuel a pursuit of more major titles, Caudery made a promising start to 2025 by clearing 4.85m in February.

    She took the decision to miss the European indoors two weeks ago to focus fully on her title defence here while she managed a minor calf injury, but will now fix her attention on a gold medal bid at the World Championships in Tokyo in September.

    “It hasn’t been a perfect indoors. It’s disappointing to say the least but everything is a learning curve,” said Caudery.

    “I felt really good. I don’t know what I could have gone on to jump without those technical difficulties, but there is no point thinking about that.”

  • Nigeria get first qualifying win as Salah nets for Egypt

    Nigeria get first qualifying win as Salah nets for Egypt

    Victor Osimhen inspired Nigeria to their first win in World Cup 2026 qualifying, while Mohamed Salah helped strengthen Egypt’s bid to reach the finals.

    Algeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and South Africa all moved top of their groups and Morocco sealed a late victory amid a busy day which saw 11 qualifiers played across the continent.

    Liverpool forward Salah calmly put Egypt in front away against Ethiopia and then turned provider for Zizo to double the lead before the break.

    The Pharaohs have established a five-point lead in Group A at the halfway stage of the campaign.

    Meanwhile, on-loan Galatasaray striker Osimhen netted both goals in Nigeria’s 2-0 victory in Rwanda, and the Super Eagles are now four points behind South Africa in Group C.

    Bafana Bafana moved to the summit after overcoming a stubborn Lesotho side 2-0 thanks to second-half strikes from Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams.

    Only the nine group winners are assured of a place at the expanded 48-team World Cup finals next year.

    The four best second-placed sides after 10 games will enter play-offs, with the winners getting a chance to qualify via an intercontinental tournament.

    Bilal El Khannouss scored an injury-time winner to spare Morocco’s blushes against unfancied Niger and open up a six-point lead in Group E.

    The West Africans, hosting the game in the Moroccan city of Oujda, took a surprise second-half lead through Youssef Oumarou but Ismael Saibari equalised on the hour mark.

    Leicester City midfielder El Khannouss was left unmarked at the back post to stoop and head in Noussair Mazraoui’s cross and give the Atlas Lions a ninth consecutive competitive win.

    Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo and Leicester’s Jordan Ayew were both on target as Ghana thrashed Chad 5-0 in Accra to move two points above Madagascar in Group I.

    Continental champions Ivory Coast laboured to a 1-0 away win over Burundi after Evann Guessand rifled in the only goal in the 16th minute.

    The Elephants remain unbeaten and have a one-point advantage over Gabon in Group F.

    Elsewhere, DR Congo moved level on points with surprise Group B leaders Sudan as Theo Bongonda’s powerful effort secured a 1-0 win over South Sudan after a disjointed display in Kinshasa.

    Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea registered comfortable wins, with Emilio Nsue scoring for the latter on his return to action following a row over his eligibility.

    Returning Osimhen gets Nigeria back on track

    Victor Osimhen took his tally to 25 goals in 40 senior appearances for Nigeria

    Nigeria’s bid for a place at the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada was in the balance after taking just three points from their first four matches.

    Osimhen had been absent through injury from all those games, played across November 2023 and June last year, and had spoken befire the crucial trip to Kigali of how “desperate” he and his team-mates are to reach the tournament.

    The pressure was also on new boss Eric Chelle, who is the first non-Nigerian African to take charge of the Super Eagles.

    But Osimhen settled any nerves in the 11th minute when he was left unmarked at the back post to guide in Ademola Lookman’s free-kick.

    And the striker capitalised on hesitant defending before racing clear and dinking past the onrushing keeper to double the lead in first-half injury time.

    Nigeria move up to fourth in Group C, behind South Africa, Benin and Rwanda, and will host bottom side Zimbabwe in their next match on Tuesday.

    Nsue finds net after six-month ban

    One other talisman who netted on his return to action was Nsue, the top scorer at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations who was then remarkably ruled ineligible to play for Equatorial Guinea by Fifa.

    Forced to sit out the qualifying campaign for the 2025 Afcon, the 35-year-old was available again following a second request by his national federation to the world governing body.

    Nsue needed just 14 minutes to net against Sao Tome e Principe and extend his all-time national record to 23 goals for the National Thunder.

    The striker was then involved in the build-up for the second goal three minutes later which ended with Iban Salvador guiding his shot home after brilliant interplay with Jose Machin inside the box.

    Equatorial Guinea are fifth in Group H, seven points behind leaders Tunisia, having been handed two 3-0 defeats after Nsue appeared and scored in their first two qualifiers.

    Amoura at the double for Algeria

    Algeria moved back to the top of Group G, on goal difference ahead of Mozambique, following a 3-1 win against Botswana in a sweltering Francistown.

    Amine Gouiri broke the deadlock just before half time with a header which home keeper Goitseone Phoko fumbled over the line, and two smart finishes after the break from Mohamed Amoura gave the North Africans their fourth win in five outings.

    Guinea are five points behind Algeria after being held to a 0-0 draw by Somalia.

    Visiting goalkeeper Abdirahman Mohamud Jama pulled off a string of saves in an inspired defensive display.

    The East Africans almost won it late on through Yusuf Ahmed, but held on through six minutes of stoppage time to secure their first point.

    Burkina Faso went second in Group A as former Aston Villa forward Bertrand Traore netted in their 4-1 win over Djibouti.

    Josue Tiendrebeogo, Mohamed Zougrana and Lassina Traore also found the net for the Stallions, who lie five points adrift of Egypt.

    Friday’s African World Cup qualifying results

    Burkina Faso 4-1 Djibouti (Group A)

    Ethiopia 0-2 Egypt (Group A)

    DR Congo 1-0 South Sudan (Group B)

    South Africa 2-0 Lesotho (Group C)

    Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria (Group C)

    Niger 1-2 Morocco (Group E)

    Burundi 0-1 Ivory Coast (Group F)

    Botswana 1-3 Algeria (Group G)

    Guinea 0-0 Somalia (Group G)

    Equatorial Guinea 2-0 Sao Tome e Principe (Group H)

    Ghana 5-0 Chad (Group I)

  • First impressions of ‘low-key’ Tuchel & his England team

    First impressions of ‘low-key’ Tuchel & his England team

    England’s new head coach Thomas Tuchel slid into his technical area almost unnoticed after the deafening fanfare that greeted the start of his reign at Wembley.

    He missed fireworks, pyrotechnics, a deafening drum-and-bass track commissioned in his honour by the Football Association entitled “Thomas Tuchel’s Army”, plus a giant banner stretching across one end of the stadium welcoming him to “The Home of Football”.

    Tuchel’s own entrance was a low-key affair, setting the tone for a low-key occasion for Gareth Southgate’s successor. The excitement and intensity the German promised will have to wait for another day after this scrappy 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Albania.

    In an unflattering review of England’s Euro 2024 campaign – widely interpreted as criticism of Southgate and the team beaten by Spain in the final – Tuchel claimed it was missing “intensity, clarity, identity, repetition of patterns, expression of players and hunger”.

    In this game, at least, there was little to distinguish Tuchel’s England from Southgate’s, his search for thrills thwarted by Albania’s lack of ambition, a reluctance to leave their own half and his own team’s lack of fluency and rhythm.

    A win is a win, however, and this is what Tuchel has been appointed to do, in the short-term against Albania and Latvia here on Monday – and in the long-term at next year’s World Cup.

    On the pitch? Work to do, but still early days

    Tuchel went for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Manchester City’s Phil Foden on the right and on-loan Aston Villa attacker Marcus Rashford on the left, which did not prove a roaring success.

    After the game England’s new boss said “we hope for more impact in these positions” and that “they were not as decisive as they can be”.

    But the decision to give Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly a debut was a masterstroke as he became the youngest player to score on his senior England debut, aged 18 years and 176 days.

    Dan Burn, another making his first appearance at 32, almost repeated his goalscoring feats for Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool when he headed against the bar in the first half, but looked laboured and vulnerable when Albania substitute Armando Broja ran at him late on.

    Tuchel laid down his template by insisting he wants more intensity, more touches in the opponents’ box and more ball recoveries in the opponents’ half. By this measure there is work to do, but this is early days.

    England had 34 touches in Albania’s box compared to 44 in interim manager Lee Carsley’s last game against the Republic of Ireland in November, winning back possession in the final third four times as opposed to six, enjoying 74.2% possession against 73.6%.

    This should all be placed in the context of an Albanian strategy which effectively consisted of building the lowest of blocks to frustrate England.

    It is too early to detect any sort of identity as, in many ways, this was more of the same that went before, but it was easy to detect what Tuchel likes and wants from his body language.

    Off the pitch? Calm & measured on uneventful night

    In the opening stages, he twice broke into animated applause when England pressurised Albania into errors – the first occasion when they stole possession and on another when intensity forced the visitors to pass the ball into touch.

    Tuchel was equally enthusiastic when England pounced to pinch the ball back. This was the intensity he wanted and will expect more of in the future.

    It was all accompanied by tic-tac arm-waving, but mostly he was a calm, measured figure, although there was little to get excited about for long spells.

    Tuchel was not a permanent presence on the touchline, taking his seat after 14 minutes, remaining there for three minutes, occasionally in discussion with his staff, before returning pitch-side.

    He greeted the first goal of his reign, slipped home by Lewis-Skelly from Jude Bellingham’s incisive pass, with a pump of his fist and a big smile – but it was quickly down to business as he delivered some lengthy instructions to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

    Tuchel also soon became acquainted with one of Wembley’s more recent traditions, the paper aeroplanes that fly during periods of inactivity. The first one landed near him after 33 minutes.

    Tuchel has shown he is not too proud to use the physical presence and set-piece prowess he believes bring the strengths of the Premier League to England, selecting the physicality and aerial power of 6ft 7in Burn ahead of the more technically gifted Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who was arguably England’s best performer at the Euros.

    When the Three Lions won three successive corners in the first half, a line of players formed – a ploy known variously as “the bus stop” or “the love train” – but there was only one target for Declan Rice’s delivery – the giant figure of Burn.

    It was the most obvious of plans, but almost worked as he rose above Albania’s defenders to crash a header against the bar.

    Tuchel only lost his composure once, when he berated the officials for not awarding a foul when Rashford was barged to the ground in front of him, but this was an uneventful night and a routine win.

    As for the rest? England meet the brief – win

    No serious clues were offered about any revolutionary moves Tuchel might have up his sleeve, although he will yearn for a swift return to fitness for Bukayo Saka given Foden’s disappointing performance in the position the Arsenal winger would normally occupy.

    One area Tuchel is keen to develop is the “interactions” between England’s players on the field, effectively moments where they encourage each other, showing a bond of togetherness.

    When he addressed the players at St George’s Park on Monday, he presented them with data that showed there were 60 such interactions in the first half of the Euros final against Spain in Berlin, but only 35 after half-time when they conceded the goals that saw them slip to a 2-1 defeat.

    This was not a night when interactions or high-fives were the order of the day. It was more a simple case of ‘job done’. Although Pickford did celebrate – and at great length with much enthusiasm – when defender Ezri Konsa pulled off a superb covering tackle as Albania’s Jasir Asani raced through with the chance of an unlikely equaliser.

    Tuchel’s plain speaking is already a contrast to the measured, almost diplomatic, words of Southgate and he made his feelings clear once more when he said: “We can do better, we have to do better.”

    When it was all over, the first three points secured, Tuchel made a swift exit down Wembley’s tunnel, leaving his players to conduct a lap of appreciation – although thousands of fans had drifted away well before the end.

    This was not a night that carried the air of a glorious new era, but Tuchel has been brought to England with a simple brief – win.

  • ‘He does everything right’ – the remarkable rise of Lewis-Skelly

    ‘He does everything right’ – the remarkable rise of Lewis-Skelly

    In October, Myles Lewis-Skelly was starting for Arsenal’s Under-21s against MK Dons in the EFL Trophy. Less than six months later, he is an England goalscorer.

    The Gunners full-back continued his remarkable rise with the first goal of the Thomas Tuchel era in a 2-0 win over Albania at Wembley.

    Aged 18 years and 176 days, Lewis-Skelly became the youngest player in history to score on his senior England debut when he netted from Jude Bellingham’s precise 20th-minute through ball.

    When Lewis-Skelly was interviewed on the pitch immediately after Friday’s match, he admitted he was “lost for words” as he tried to take it all in.

    His Arsenal team-mate Declan Rice did the talking for him.

    “He is fearless,” Rice told ITV. “He does everything right off the pitch and he is only 18.

    “I knew he was going to play like that tonight because of the confidence he has.

    “He has kept his feet on the ground and it is only the start for him.”

    New England boss Tuchel described Lewis-Skelly as an “amazing player” and “amazing personality” when asked about his display.

    “He was amazing in camp,” said the German. “He is full of confidence and very full of humour and such an open and mature character.

    “Everything you see on the pitch you see off the pitch. He was straight away part of the group, it’s very impressive. He does it with a natural confidence and this is how he plays football.

    “It was a great performance and full of courage, full of quality and even more so that he could be with his little run behind the line and be decisive in this game for us.”

    Former England defender Matt Upson, watching the game for BBC Radio 5 Live, said the youngster, who was awarded player of the match, had a “brilliant evening”.

    “I think he was absolutely superb,” Upson said. “To manage and handle that occasion in the manner he did, with the very limited senior football he has had, really speaks volumes about how good a player he is and how far he can go.”

    It has been quite the season for Lewis-Skelly, who has played more games than even he might have been expecting after impressing on Arsenal’s pre-season US tour.

    After making his debut against Manchester City in September, Lewis-Skelly has played 26 matches for Mikel Arteta’s side, with another academy graduate, Ethan Nwaneri, also featuring regularly.

    Former Arsenal, Chelsea and England left-back Ashley Cole told BBC Sport earlier this week: “[Lewis-Skelly has] burst on to the scene in the last year and a half. He’s just got to keep playing well for Arsenal and in the senior team with England.

    “But what I would say is you’ve got be careful with these young players – they’re special and they’re precious and you have to take your time sometimes.”

    Despite the rapid rise, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the young full-back.

    He has twice been sent off – in the win over Wolves in January and the home defeat by West Ham in February – although the first of those red cards was later rescinded on appeal.

    ‘He backs himself & we back him’ – the making of Lewis-Skelly

    Former Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker is now the club’s academy manager and has known Lewis-Skelly since he was part of the under-12 squad, having first joined the Gunners aged nine.

    The Islington-born youngster’s rise is even more impressive when you consider left-back is not even his natural position.

    He came through the academy as a central midfielder – but has gone from strength to strength in an ‘inverted’ full-back role.

    “I don’t think there’s a particular moment where you see that he would have a good chance to make it to the first team,” said Mertesacker earlier this year.

    “I knew Myles from when he was an under-12 and going to youth tournaments with all the ups and downs. Sometimes you win and everyone is excited – and sometimes you lose and you start crying.

    “It’s just about understanding where everyone is on their journey.

    “With Myles, whatever challenges we put in front of him he seems to be really comfortable and ready.

    “That’s probably for me his main trait. If you can stay as cool as possible in those challenging moments then you have a good chance to get an opportunity.”

    Lewis-Skelly’s mum Marcia Lewis knows better than most the jeopardy involved in a young player’s early career.

    She runs a platform called NO1Fan.Club, that provides a support network for parents navigating youth football and helps show alternative pathways in the industry for those who don’t quite make it.

    Speaking to BBC Sport last September, Lewis said about her son: “He is not an Arsenal first-team player, he is an academy player, he has not ‘made it’.

    “He backs himself, we back him, but the realities are what they are… he is competing with multi-million pound players all over the world.”

    Mertesacker said “unconditional” support and a “really good foundation from home” have been vital to Lewis-Skelly’s rise.

    “It’s not always an upward curve, for anyone. When it comes to the first team and the challenges that are there and the opportunities, it’s not easy.”

  • Tuchel happy with start but England must be ‘more dangerous’

    Tuchel happy with start but England must be ‘more dangerous’

    New England head coach Thomas Tuchel says he is happy with his side’s 2-0 win over Albania in his first game in charge but that they must be “more dangerous”.

    READ MORE: Lewis-Skelly scores as England begin Tuchel era with win over Albania

  • ‘A poor level from me’ – Alcaraz out in Miami second round

    ‘A poor level from me’ – Alcaraz out in Miami second round

    A blunt Carlos Alcaraz said he played at “a poor level” in his surprise Miami Open second-round defeat by David Goffin.

    Four-time major champion Alcaraz struggled for consistency in a 5-7 6-4 6-3 loss to Belgium’s world number 55 Goffin.

    Spain’s Alcaraz had won the Miami Open title in 2022 and reached the semi-finals at Indian Wells last week.

    “I thought I was going to play really good tennis but it didn’t happen,” Alcaraz, 21, said.

    “I didn’t feel well in my legs – I wasn’t injured, I wasn’t sick. I was feeling perfectly before the match.

    “In general, it was a poor level from me.”

    By contrast, Novak Djokovic snapped his three-match losing streak with a 6-0 7-6 (7-1) victory over Australia’s Rinky Hijikata.

    Alcaraz committed 42 unforced errors against Goffin, who is the first player outside the top-30 to beat the world number three.

    “It’s that kind of night that I will remember for sure – against Carlos and in a stadium like that,” Goffin said.

    Djokovic ‘knew exactly what I wanted to do’

    Fourth seed Djokovic raced through the first set without dropping a game and although he was made to work harder in the second, still won in a little over an hour and 20 minutes.

    The Serb, who received a bye in round one, will face world number 69 Camilo Ugo Carabelli of Argentina in the next round.

    Build-up to the tournament has been dominated by news that the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), co-founded by Djokovic, has begun legal action against tennis’ governing bodies.

    However, in his first match in Miami since 2019, the 37-year-old showed no signs of being distracted as Hijikata was swiftly swatted aside.

    The 24-time Grand Slam champion broke in the second game of the match and never looked back, winning the first set to love in 28 minutes.

    It was more of a contest in the second, but Djokovic dominated in the tie-break to move a step closer to a seventh Miami Open title.

    “I was playing really well, I mean on a very high level from the beginning, I knew exactly what I wanted to do tactically,” he said.

    “Obviously it’s just the first match but the way I felt on the court and the way I played is really encouraging.”

    Medvedev out but Ruud and Dimitrov advance

    Elsewhere, seventh seed and former champion Daniil Medvedev was stunned 6-2 6-3 by Spain’s Jaume Munar.

    The Russian made 32 unforced errors as he was brushed aside by world number 56 Munar.

    Casper Ruud also had a scare, but the Norwegian came from a set down to claim a 3-6 6-4 6-4 victory over Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic.

    Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov saw off Federico Cina of Italy 6-1 6-4 but, having claimed his first win since 2022 earlier this week, Australia’s Nick Kyrgios lost 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 to Karen Khachanov.

  • Five talking points from Tuchel’s first game as England boss

    Five talking points from Tuchel’s first game as England boss

    England started the Thomas Tuchel era with a 2-0 victory over Albania in World Cup qualifying.

    Teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly scored on his senior international debut before captain Harry Kane netted his 70th England goal to seal the win.

    BBC Sport takes a look at some of the talking points from the game.

    Before the game Tuchel created plenty of headlines when he said England looked like they had played with fear at Euro 2024 under his predecessor Gareth Southgate.

    He also suggested he wanted them to play Premier League-style physical football.

    Known for his tactical flexibility, nobody was quite certain what formation Tuchel would opt for – but he sent England out in a 4-2-3-1.

    While Tuchel’s teams are normally known for their intensity and pressing, it was hard for England to show either against a team who set up as defensively as Albania, especially in the first half.

    And the German is also still in the early stages of his reign – having only met his players four days ago for the first time since officially taking over in January.

    “Thomas Tuchel’s had the squad for three days – you can’t expect to see a different England team,” said former Three Lions midfielder Leon Osman on BBC Radio 5 Live.

    “We won the football match. Once we got ahead there was no urgency.

    “We want to be entertained. There is a certain element of control which is good in tournament football.

    “At the minute we’re not in a tournament, we want to be entertained.”

    England had 74% of the ball and 12 shots to Albania’s three – with the hosts recording all six efforts on target in the game.

    In the opening 45 minutes they completed 437 passes, the most on Opta’s records of any England first half.

    The visitors did try to play more after the break, but England’s backline were only tested a few times by substitute Armando Broja.

    The result itself was routine – new England manager or not. The Three Lions are unbeaten in 38 home qualifiers for World Cups or Euros since November 2007, with 34 wins.

    “It was a difficult game from a spectating perspective,” said former England defender Matt Upson on BBC Radio 5 Live.

    “Once we got into the rhythm, it was very much an England game at Wembley against inferior opposition where they struggled to break them down.

    “We are all wanting to see how Thomas Tuchel’s plan is going to happen.

    “There are so many questions, but ultimately they have to manage the game itself and England did that well.”

    Upson added that Tuchel probably learned to “understand what it feels like and looks like tactically” to play against a team in a low block like Albania’s.

    Lewis-Skelly continues rapid rise

    Just a few months ago, Arsenal left-back Lewis-Skelly, 18, would barely have been on England’s radar. He had not played a senior professional game until after the September international break.

    But he has broken into Arsenal’s first team, scored against Manchester City and been sent off twice (although one was overturned) in 26 games – and now firmly established himself as a Gunners regular.

    “It doesn’t get much better,” said former Arsenal centre-back Upson.

    “The opportunity has fallen to him, the timing has been great. The amount of injuries Arsenal had got him in the team.

    “Those doors have opened, but he has had to grab those opportunities. He looks to be a top player.”

    Tuchel gave him a chance for England and he took it with both hands.

    In a prime example of the modern full-back role, Lewis-Skelly was front-footed, cutting into central midfield and popping up in the box.

    And he got the opening goal when he appeared in the Albania area to score through Thomas Strakosha’s legs from Jude Bellingham’s fantastic through ball.

    That made him the third-youngest England goalscorer ever – and youngest to net on his debut.

    “In the second half he played as a number eight or a number 10,” said Tuchel.

    “His very best position is where he plays for Arsenal in the double six.

    “We tried to play a bit more conventional today as it’s easier to learn because we have many players from many different clubs, but he understands very quickly.”

    Lewis-Skelly left the pitch to an ovation in the final minute.

    England tried three different left-backs in their final three Nations League games – Lewis Hall, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Rico Lewis – but Lewis-Skelly will hope to make the position his own.

    Upson said: “He was absolutely superb. To manage and handle that occasion in the manner he did with the very limited senior football he has had… really speaks volumes about how good a player he is and how far he can go. It was a brilliant evening for him.

    “When you look at the competition for that position, Lewis Hall is probably the closest. You can see a little battle between the two of them for the left-back slot. That was a big moment for Lewis-Skelly tonight to try to cement himself in Thomas Tuchel’s mind for that role.”

    Ex-Everton player Osman added: “He was dead relaxed, but he wasn’t tested defensively.

    “To secure the position he will have to show he can stand up defensively.”

    Burn at centre of things to end dream week

    Centre-back Burn is at the other end of the spectrum when it comes to England debuts.

    This was the 32-year-old’s first appearance for England at any age level. In fact he was the oldest Three Lions debutant since Kevin Davies in 2010.

    It came in what is undoubtedly the best week of the 6ft 7in defender’s career.

    On Sunday, also at Wembley, he headed his boyhood club Newcastle ahead against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final as they won 2-1 to lift a first trophy in 56 years.

    The following day he joined up with England.

    He was given an immediate debut by Tuchel – and did well.

    Burn became the first England debutant to make 100 or more passes on Opta’s record – and ended up completing 135 from 137.

    He made more clearances (seven), won more tackles (two) and won more aerial duels (four) than any other Three Lions player.

    Plus he managed to hit both crossbars, turning a clearance against his own woodwork before later heading Declan Rice’s corner on to the bar.

    Upson said: “He was excellent in the first half, looked very good but didn’t have much to deal with defensively. He showed his threat from set-pieces.”

    However, there were a few moments where he was caught out, especially when Broja came on.

    Marc Guehi, who was one of England’s best players at Euro 2024, watched on from the bench with Ezri Konsa starting alongside Burn.

    “There were a couple of moments in the second half where Burn got hurt in behind, got a bit tight and spun,” said Upson. “His partnership with Konsa was excellent.

    “Konsa’s performance was very assured and showed he’s really developed in the last six months. Playing in the Champions League with Aston Villa has brought him on to the next level.

    “Burn has moments of impact but I thought Konsa is probably best placed to keep his spot.”

    But who didn’t catch the eye?

    England wingers Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford both failed to set the game alight.

    Manchester United forward Rashford, on loan at Villa, was given his first England chance in a year after rediscovering his form under Unai Emery.

    He showed a few good touches, especially early on, but failed to create much.

    Manchester City’s Foden had a similar experience on the right-hand side.

    They were both replaced, along with Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, in the 74th minute.

    “Both of our wingers that started were not as impactful as they can be or as they are in club football,” said Tuchel.

    “At the moment I’m not so sure why we struggled to bring the ball quicker to them.

    “They trained very well, they were decisive in training which is why they deserved it. They were very good in the last weeks in their clubs.

    “We will keep encouraging them and give them a structure so they can show their potential.”

    Upson said: “Foden wants to come inside. He’s not the type of out-and-out winger which Tuchel wants to play.

    “He wants a fast-paced aggressive style – to go at teams. Foden is more of a footballer who likes to come to feet and open things up that way.

    “Rashford showed willingness and he has that speed but didn’t quite find the end product tonight.

    “He was looking not to lose the ball instead of taking a risk. It’s an area that will be tinkered with in games to come.”

    Some things stay the same – Kane scores

    Captain Kane is England’s all-time leading scorer by some way – and he netted his 70th international goal on Friday.

    It came after a fine bit of control to take down Rice’s cross before he passed the ball into the bottom corner.

    Kane is the first England player to score on his first appearance under three different managers – Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate and Tuchel.

    “Typical Kane,” said Upson. “He didn’t get much action for quite long periods but a couple of his passes were superb. He drops deeps and clips those balls over the top.

    “His finish was really high level. The first touch and movement and to find that bottom corner was excellent. Very much a Kane-type performance.

    “He would probably want to be involved in the game a bit more in the build-up. But Albania sat in so didn’t allow him a lot of opportunities to get the ball.”

    The 31-year-old continued his fine association with Tuchel too, having bagged 44 goals in 45 games under the German at Bayern Munich.

    Mauricio Pochettino is now the only manager Kane has scored more goals under.

  • Osimhen, Lookman among world’s top attackers – Troost-Ekong

    Osimhen, Lookman among world’s top attackers – Troost-Ekong

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong, has lavished praise on Victor Osimhen, ranking him among the world’s top attackers alongside teammate Ademola Lookman.

    Speaking in Kigali on Friday, Troost-Ekong singled out Osimhen’s impressive performance, which saw him score a brace in Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Rwanda.

    While acknowledging Osimhen’s outstanding display, Troost-Ekong emphasised the collective effort that led to the team’s success.

    He said, “It is not about individual performances.

    “The win against Rwanda was a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication. Everyone played their part, and it is this unity that will drive us forward.”

    He said it was important also to see player like Tolu Arokodare making his debut from the bench and applauded Alhassan Yusuf who Troost-Ekong said was played out of position.

    Troost-Ekong also congratulated Eric Chelle for his first win, adding that “the game was not easy.”

    “We try to understand what the coach want from us. We have only had two training sessions and lots of video sessions too.

    “Today’s win is a glimpse of what we should expect under Coach Eric Chelle” Troost-Ekong said.

    He attributed the highlight of his career to being part of the team over the past decade, during which he had the privilege of learning from numerous captains.

    These experiences, he noted, have greatly facilitated his role in coordinating the team, allowing him to create an environment where new players can thrive and express themselves freely.

  • 2026 WCQ: Zimbabwe players promised N300m each to beat Nigeria

    2026 WCQ: Zimbabwe players promised N300m each to beat Nigeria

    The Super Eagles’ qualification campaign have taken another twist, as their upcoming opponents, Zimbabwe players, have been promised a $150,000 cash incentive to pull off a shock win against the Cheetahs of Benin and the Super Eagles in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    Originally, the Warriors, including their technical crew and support staff, were expected to receive $150,000 from the Zimbabwean government if they defeated Benin on Thursday. The encounter ended 2-2.

    Another $150,000 has been earmarked should they stun Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Uyo, a reward that could be seen as both motivation to the Warriors and an insult to the three-time African champions by virtue of its modesty.

    Nigeria’s road to the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico has been anything but smooth. The Super Eagles failed to secure a single victory in four qualifiers, sat fifth in Group C behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe.

  • Super Eagles’ coach demands more inspite Rwanda win

    Super Eagles’ coach demands more inspite Rwanda win

    Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle, says the team still needs to improve in spite of the 2-0 victory over the Amavubi of Rwanda on Friday in Kigali.

    The encounter was a matchday 5 fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    The Malian said at the post match conference that he is happy with the performance of his players against a tough Rwandan side.

    He expressed delight at the win but stressed the need for the team to improve ahead of there next game on Tuesday in Uyo against bottom placed Zimbabwe.

    “I just want to say it was a difficult game because Rwanda is a good side, I know the coach, he is a good coach, we made a great game too.

    “I am so happy and proud of my players, my guys and the Nigerian people” Chelle said.

    He said the team worked a lot in the last one week sourcing information for his players with lots of video sessions after two training practices.

    “I think the victory or the win is normal because in the first half they had only one chance to score.

    “We keep the ball in the 2nd half. We played two to three systems .

    “I am happy now because this is just one game. We have some weaknesses and some strengths, my job is to think about the game project” Chelle said.