England manager Thomas Tuchel has urged his squad to stay disciplined and avoid reckless challenges that could lead to costly red cards ahead of the World Cup. His warning comes after Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off in Portugal’s defeat to the Republic of Ireland, a moment that may force the forward to miss the start of their World Cup campaign if they secure automatic qualification.
England wrap up their qualifying journey against Albania on Sunday, having already sealed their place in next year’s tournament with two games left. Albania, meanwhile, are guaranteed a playoff spot regardless of the result.
Tuchel made his concerns clear, saying, “No red cards please. It’s important, and we’ll talk about it.” When asked whether he would prefer losing the match over seeing a player sent off, he insisted he didn’t want to create unnecessary fear but emphasized the need for smart decisions on the pitch.
Focus on Clean Sheets and Maintaining Momentum
England boast a perfect record — seven wins from seven — and have yet to concede a goal in qualifying. Alongside Spain, they could become the first European teams to win at least six qualifiers without letting in a single goal. Despite the potential milestone, Tuchel says he has not used the record as motivation, focusing instead on consistent performance.
“We need to deliver again. Talking about records won’t change anything,” Tuchel said, stressing the importance of defensive unity and continued effort.
This upcoming match will mark England’s final appearance of the year, with only one more international window remaining before Tuchel selects his World Cup squad. He hopes to see signs of progress and hunger from his players.
Tuchel added that the team should focus on showcasing their quality rather than fearing mistakes:
“The hunger to win must be bigger than the fear of losing. We shouldn’t think about what we could lose — only about the chance to perform again.”
England captain Harry Kane echoed his manager’s mindset, saying that maintaining their unbeaten and clean-sheet run adds fuel to their motivation heading into the clash with Albania. Kane emphasised the importance of ending the year strongly and carrying momentum forward.
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