England Prepares for Crucial World Cup Qualifier Against Latvia

London, England — On March 24, 2025, England will face Latvia in the second matchday of the Europe World Cup qualifiers. The match will kick off at 20:45 CET at Wembley Stadium, following a recent victory against Albania.

England’s Recent Performance

England began their qualification campaign with a solid 2-0 win over Albania, featuring goals from Myles Lewis-Skelly and Harry Kane. Despite the victory, head coach Thomas Tuchel expressed disappointment with his team's performance. He noted that the quality expected from the squad was lacking, stating, "We can do better, we have to do better." Tuchel had previously highlighted concerns about his team's mentality, suggesting they were "afraid" to lose during their inconsistent run leading to the Euro 2024 final under former manager Gareth Southgate.

Latvia's Status and Strategy

Latvia, ranked 140th in the world, will arrive at Wembley with confidence after their opening match, which saw them secure a 1-0 victory against Andorra. Under the guidance of former Italy under-21 manager Paolo Nicolato, Latvia will be eager to perform well against the Three Lions, regardless of the odds.

Possible Lineups for the Match

For the upcoming match, Tuchel may consider rotating his squad. The potential lineup for England is set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and includes:

  • Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
  • Defenders: Reece James, Marc Guehi, Levi Colwill, Myles Lewis-Skelly
  • Midfielders: Curtis Jones, Declan Rice
  • Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane

Additionally, Morgan Gibbs-White has been called up to replace Anthony Gordon, who has withdrawn from the squad due to a hip injury.

Latvia’s possible lineup is expected to adopt a 4-3-3 formation, featuring:

  • Goalkeeper: Andris Zviedris
  • Defenders: Roberts Jurkovskis, Ralfs Balodis, Deniss Cernomordijs
  • Midfielders: Mārtiņš Savalnieks, Aleksandrs Melniks, Kristaps Savaljevs, Dmitrijs Ciganiks
  • Forwards: Andris Zelenkovs, Artūrs Ikaunieks, Vladislavs Gutkovskis

Injury Updates and Tactical Adjustments

While Latvia reported no new injury concerns following their win over Andorra, England's squad has been affected by the loss of Gordon. Tuchel has indicated that changes to the starting lineup are possible but will depend on recovery and fitness levels, stating, "Let's see. It's only the second day after the match, and we need to be cautious."

This match presents an opportunity for England to improve their performance and secure another win in their World Cup qualifying campaign, while Latvia aims to build on their unexpected success. Fans are eager to see how both teams will adapt and perform on the significant stage of Wembley.