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The Three Lions are looking to extend their lead at the top of World Cup qualifying Group K
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England face Andorra in their fourth match of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, with the Three Lions looking to extend their lead at the top of Group K.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have won each of their three qualifying matches so far, beating Albania and Latvia at home before labouring to a narrow 1-0 win over Andorra in Barcelona in June.
And they welcome the minnows to Villa Park knowing that only a commanding win will do, with a 3-1 loss to Senegal last time out raising some questions about the direction of the team less than a year before the World Cup gets underway.
The squad has faced some injury withdrawals and there are some notable absentees, but this will give Tuchel a chance to experiment further as he moulds his team and begins to decide on the members of the squad for next year’s tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Follow the latest team news and updates from Villa Park below:
15 mins: Shot!
Another nice but of play from Anderson. He receives the ball in the middle and plays a pass through the lines.
Eberechi Eze collects it and turns towards goal before fizzing a low effort at goal which Iker Alvarez scoops up without too much trouble.
12 mins: Chance!
The first sight of goal, unsurprisingly, comes to Harry Kane.
Reece James brings the ball forward then rolls it inside to Elliot Anderson. The midfielder threads a pass into the box and Noni Madueke darts in from the right.
The ball is blocked and bounces to Kane who controls it then rolls a shot into the hands of the Andorran goalkeeper.
9 mins: Declan Rice makes a nice run down the inside left channel and Rashford spots him.
He dinks an aerial pass over the nearest defender but there’s too much on the pass and Rice can’t reach it before it runs out for a goal kick.
6 mins: A touch over five minutes into this game and the match is developing as expected.
Andorra are defending very. very deep and England are probing for opportunities to get into the box.
Thomas Tuchel is sat on a cool box next to the dugout watching the game.
He’ll want a bit more energy from his team.
3 mins: Oh hello!
There’s an early shout for a penalty after Marcus Rashford receives the ball on the left wing.
He weaves and tricks his way into the penalty area before losing possession under a decent tackle. He goes down and asks the question about a spot kick but the referee isn’t interested.
Andorra get the ball rolling at Aston Villa. It’s knocked all the way back to Iker Alvarez who fizzes a long ball over to the left.
England win it in the air and collect possession. They look to attack on the right side with Noni Madueke driving into the box and running the ball out for a goalkick.
The players make their way out onto the pitch at Villa Park.
Harry Kane leads out England who look quite confident and relaxed.
Elliott Anderson is handed a senior debut and will look to impress in the middle of the pitch.
Kick off is up next…
England are expecting Andorra to set up with a low block and plenty of men behind the ball today.
This will be a test for the forward line and creative players with Thomas Tuchel hoping to see ‘intensity’ and ‘energy’ from the team.
The Three Lions have won three out of three qualifiers so far. Can they add a fourth victory?
The England head coach said: “We are excited to play at Villa Park, another stadium full of history.
“I know from my own visits to the stadium this season that it is capable of creating an outstanding atmosphere and is located close to St. George’s Park which is a positive for our preparation.
“We hope to be able to generate another special atmosphere and create a memorable occasion for all fans.”
Thomas Tuchel says that his players must “love” playing for England rather than just like it, and that he specifically cut the size of squads in order to start fostering a sense of competition.
The German has clearly been focusing on sharpening intensity and warding off complacency, as his side host Andorra at Villa Park in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
The last match between the countries ended in a tepid 1-0 win for England in Barcelona in June, where Tuchel admitted that the right energy did not translate from training.
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