England have carved their name into the football history books, setting an incredible World Cup record with a 2-0 victory over Albania in their final qualifying match on Sunday.
A Historic Defensive Achievement
The result in Tirana means the Three Lions, under manager Thomas Tuchel, have become the first European nation ever to navigate an entire World Cup qualifying campaign of more than six matches without letting in a single goal. The team's remarkable run saw them win all eight of their Group K fixtures, scoring 22 times while maintaining a pristine defensive record.
The decisive match at Arena Kombëtare was settled by captain Harry Kane, who broke the deadlock in the 74th minute. The opening goal came after a corner from substitute Bukayo Saka was flicked on by an Albanian defender, falling perfectly for Kane to finish. The England skipper then sealed the victory with a second goal late in the game, assisted by Marcus Rashford.
Dissecting the Perfect Campaign
England's path to this historic achievement was built on a foundation of defensive solidity and attacking efficiency across their eight matches. Their qualifying journey included home and away victories against Albania, Serbia, Latvia, and Andorra.
The team's flawless record began in March 2025 and was maintained through to the final whistle in November:
- March 2025: England 2-0 Albania, England 3-0 Latvia
- June 2025: Andorra 0-1 England
- September 2025: England 2-0 Andorra, Serbia 0-5 England
- October 2025: Latvia 0-5 England
- November 2025: England 2-0 Serbia, Albania 0-2 England
Player Performances in Tirana
While Kane grabbed the headlines with his late brace, the collective effort ensured the historic clean sheet was preserved. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson made a crucial save around the 50-minute mark to deny Albania's Arber Hoxha, underlining the team's defensive resolve.
Substitute Marcus Rashford made a significant impact in his brief 15-minute appearance, providing the assist for Kane's second goal and staking a claim for a more prominent role in the squad. The victory and the record it secured provide a massive confidence boost for Tuchel's side as they build towards the World Cup finals.
