England Shut Out Serbia at Wembley to Secure Seventh Successive Qualifying Win

Key Takeaways:

• England defeated Serbia 2-0 at Wembley in their final home match in Group K
• The Three Lions have achieved seven straight qualifying victories and have not conceded a single goal, boasting a 20:0 goal difference
• Serbia’s defeat, combined with Albania’s win over Andorra, eliminated Serbia from playoff contention

Dominant England Extend Unbeaten Qualifying Run

Already qualified for the 2026 World Cup as the earliest European nation to do so, England continued their commanding run with a 2-0 triumph over Serbia in their last home fixture in Group K. Bukayo Saka found the net in the 28th minute, opening the scoring, and in stoppage time, Eberechi Eze – also of Arsenal – doubled England’s advantage. This seventh successive victory means the Three Lions have yet to concede in the qualification campaign and now hold an imposing 20:0 goal tally.

The outcome, coupled with Albania’s away victory against Andorra, ended Serbia’s hopes of reaching the playoffs. With just one round remaining, Albania enjoy a four-point cushion.

Job done at @WembleyStadium.

It's now 7️⃣ wins out of 7️⃣ in @FIFAWorldCup qualifying 💪 pic.twitter.com/wAv2kyZ93B

— England (@England) November 13, 2025

Team News and Tactical Choices

England boss Thomas Tuchel introduced three changes from the team that had featured against Latvia. Niko O’Reilly was handed his national team debut at left back, whilst Reece James slotted in at right back and Marcus Rashford returned on the left wing. Jude Bellingham, still returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the previous four matches, began the evening on the bench, with Morgan Rogers preferred over both him and Phil Foden.

On the opposite side, Serbia’s newly appointed manager Veljko Paunović lined his squad up with a back four and crowded the midfield. Dušan Vlahović led their attack, with Kostić and Živković offering width and support from the flanks.

Match Analysis and Key Moments

The contest commenced at a gentle tempo, producing few early chances. England enjoyed greater possession and attacking impetus, but their first effort on target only came in the 25th minute. Declan Rice freed Rashford on the left, who advanced and shot directly at Rajković. Three minutes afterwards, England took the lead: Rice’s free-kick was dealt with by the Serbian goalkeeper, O’Reilly’s subsequent attempt was blocked, and the ball fell for Bukayo Saka to volley expertly into the far corner.

Later in the first half, Harry Kane narrowly missed a chance to double England’s lead after being left unmarked at the back post for a Rice corner, his header glancing off the turf and just wide. Before the break, Pickford was required to intervene following Kostić’s direct free kick, while Rogers also squandered a decent opening. England began to show more quality as the opening period came to a close.

Serbia carved out their best opportunity in the 62nd minute: Kostić surged forward on the left, entered the box and set up Vlahović, whose back-heel attempt from close range drifted wide. Simultaneously, it was reported that Albania had taken the lead against Andorra, further dampening Serbian ambitions.

Shortly thereafter, Tuchel made four simultaneous substitutions, introducing Eze, Bellingham, Henderson, and Foden. England looked reinvigorated and produced a number of attacking moves, but the clinching goal remained elusive, with Foden heading wide in the 75th minute.

As the match approached its conclusion, Serbia attacked with urgency. Samardžić missed a gilt-edged opportunity in the 81st minute, though an offside call soon followed. Vlahović fired just over the woodwork moments later.

England nearly extended their lead in the 87th minute when Eze, played in by Foden, aimed for goal, only for Rajković and then the post to deny him. The Arsenal man eventually found the net in the 90th minute: Bellingham broke forward to find Foden, who carried the ball and shifted it left to Eze. Unmarked, Eze fired a precise strike into the far corner to confirm England’s two-goal victory.

Match Statistics