England Triumphs Over Andorra in World Cup Qualifier Amid Venue Shift and Injury Setbacks

June 7, 2025
|In International, Sports
|By Mridul Upadhyay

Barcelona, June 7, 2025 — England continued their strong march toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 5-2 win over Andorra. The match, part of the UEFA Group K qualifiers, was notable not only for England’s clinical performance but also for the unusual relocation of the fixture to the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona due to stadium constraints in Andorra.

With Thomas Tuchel at the helm, England maintained their perfect record in the qualifiers, demonstrating tactical discipline, fluid attacking patterns, and exceptional squad depth despite multiple injuries.

A Shift in Venue: Strategic Disruption for Andorra

Originally scheduled to be held at Andorra’s national stadium, the match was shifted to the RCDE Stadium, home of La Liga club Espanyol. The decision followed the conclusion of the Games of the Small States of Europe, which left Andorra’s pitch in substandard condition. Their new Estadi de la FAF, though impressive in design, was yet to pass UEFA’s match-hosting requirements.

This unexpected move eliminated Andorra’s home advantage. While technically designated the home team, Andorra lacked local crowd support, which might have impacted their confidence and on-pitch spirit. The decision also generated debate within Andorran football circles, with concerns raised over competitive fairness and logistical preparedness.

England’s Tactical Setup and Squad Changes

England entered the match with several forced adjustments. Key forward Bukayo Saka was ruled out due to a minor muscular issue, while striker Ollie Watkins suffered a knock during training. This gave opportunities to Jordan Henderson and Ivan Toney to slot into the starting eleven, underlining England’s impressive bench strength.

Thomas Tuchel opted for an unorthodox tactical tweak — using Curtis Jones as an inverted right-back, a role typically reserved for a more defensive player. Jones, known for his attacking instincts, linked up effectively with midfielders Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, maintaining the team’s structure during transitions.

The frontline of Harry Kane, Phil Foden, and Ivan Toney provided width, penetration, and link-up play. Kane dropped deep to create space, allowing Foden and Toney to exploit the Andorran defense.

First Half: Ruthless England Sets the Tone

England took control from the kickoff. Dominating possession and pressing high, the Three Lions dictated the tempo with crisp passes and intelligent movement. The breakthrough came in the 12th minute when Harry Kane converted a perfectly timed cross into the bottom corner, marking his 67th international goal.

Just eight minutes later, Jude Bellingham displayed his class with a low drive from outside the box, doubling England’s lead. The Andorran defense, overwhelmed by England’s high-pressing and intricate passing, struggled to regain composure.

Despite the pressure, Andorra managed a moment of brilliance in the 30th minute. A swift counterattack saw midfielder Marc Pujol deliver a long-range effort that beat goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. The goal was celebrated with intensity and pride, reducing the deficit and injecting momentary belief into the Andorran camp.

However, England responded swiftly. In the 38th minute, Phil Foden dribbled past two defenders and curled in a beautiful effort from the edge of the box, restoring the two-goal lead before halftime.

Second Half: Depth and Dominance Continue

Tuchel made tactical substitutions at halftime, bringing in Conor Gallagher and Jarrod Bowen. The latter added dynamism to England’s attack, stretching the flanks and creating additional threats.

England’s fourth goal came in the 57th minute. A set-piece saw Declan Rice head the ball across goal, where Ivan Toney was perfectly placed to tap it in — a memorable moment for the forward in one of his first major appearances for the national side.

Andorra, to their credit, kept pushing. Their resilience was rewarded when a corner kick in the 68th minute was converted by Ildefons Lima, the 44-year-old veteran, who made history as the oldest player to score in a UEFA World Cup qualifier. The stadium erupted in appreciation, a moment that transcended the scoreline.

England completed their scoring in the 78th minute when Jarrod Bowen sprinted down the right and squared it for Kane to slot home his second of the night. The fifth goal sealed England’s dominance and quashed any hopes of a late Andorran rally.

Statistical Breakdown

  • Possession: England 74% – 26% Andorra

  • Shots on Target: England 12 – 3 Andorra

  • Pass Accuracy: England 91% – 71% Andorra

  • Corners: England 8 – 2 Andorra

  • Fouls: England 6 – 10 Andorra

These numbers reflected the total control England exercised over the match while also highlighting Andorra’s efforts to stay competitive against a vastly superior opponent.

Player Performances

  • Harry Kane: Captain fantastic once again. Scored two goals and orchestrated the attack with calm leadership.

  • Jude Bellingham: A midfield powerhouse. Controlled the tempo and added a goal to cap off his performance.

  • Phil Foden: Electric in the final third. Constantly a threat and earned his goal with skill and flair.

  • Ivan Toney: Marked his starting role with a goal. Good movement and positioning throughout.

  • Curtis Jones: Adapted well to his unusual role. Showed versatility and contributed both defensively and offensively.

Andorra’s standout was veteran Ildefons Lima, whose leadership and historic goal became the emotional highlight of the evening.

Manager’s Remarks

Thomas Tuchel, while satisfied with the performance, remained focused on the broader objective. He highlighted the team’s adaptability and praised the players who stepped up in the absence of regular starters.

The German tactician emphasized the importance of keeping standards high against every opponent and expressed optimism about upcoming fixtures. His philosophy of using technically gifted players in flexible roles continues to be a hallmark of his approach with England.

Andorran coach Koldo Álvarez praised his players for their fighting spirit and lauded Lima’s contribution. He acknowledged the difficulty of facing England but took positives from the performance, especially the two goals scored against one of Europe’s elite teams.

The Bigger Picture: England’s Road to 2026

This win reinforces England’s strong position at the top of Group K. With 12 points from four matches, they lead ahead of Serbia and Albania. The team’s focus now shifts to their upcoming friendly against Senegal on June 10, a fixture seen as preparation for higher-stakes matches later in the qualifying round.

The Senegal match will also offer Tuchel a chance to test younger players and refine tactical variations. With the World Cup only a year away, every fixture becomes a crucial piece in the puzzle of squad selection, team chemistry, and formation fluidity.

Tactical Evolution Under Tuchel

Tuchel’s arrival marked a clear shift from England’s previous managerial styles. His emphasis on positional discipline, quick transitions, and full-back creativity has injected a new dimension into the team’s identity.

The use of players like Curtis Jones in inverted roles and the freedom given to attacking midfielders like Bellingham and Foden are reflections of a modern, progressive football philosophy. The system encourages intelligent movement, adaptability, and proactive defending.

The result is a team that not only wins but does so with flair and control.

Challenges and Next Steps

Despite the comfortable win, England’s injury list is a concern. Saka and Watkins are key components of the squad, and their recovery will be closely monitored. Furthermore, ensuring the fitness of players during a congested fixture calendar remains a priority.

Tuchel has also hinted at more rotational policies, suggesting that younger talents like Kobbie Mainoo, Rico Lewis, and Anthony Gordon may see more minutes in upcoming fixtures. This strategy could help build a deeper, more resilient squad for the World Cup.

Final Thoughts

England’s 5-2 win over Andorra was more than just a scoreline. It was a testament to tactical planning, squad depth, and mental resilience. Overcoming the challenge of a venue change and missing key players, the Three Lions delivered a performance that not only earned three points but also sent a message to future opponents.

For Andorra, the match was a valuable learning experience. Despite the defeat, moments of brilliance and spirited effort showed their progression on the international stage.

As the qualification journey continues, England’s momentum under Tuchel places them as one of the most formidable European teams on the road to North America in 2026.