England beat 10-man Czech Republic to secure first Nations League victory

England claimed their first Nations League win with a 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic, as Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane continued their international scoring runs on Tuesday.

Thomas Tuchel’s team had opened their campaign with a 3-2 defeat by world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday, while the Czech Republic had also lost their first match, against Croatia.

The hosts frustrated England for much of the first half at the Fortuna Arena despite being reduced to 10 men. Gordon eventually broke the deadlock soon after the interval before Kane struck to give England a decisive advantage.

“Deserved victory,” said Tuchel. “It’s strange to get an early red card. It’s not the best for the spectators, not the best for the team.

“It’s an awkward one but we got an important win and that’s what counts.”

Tuchel made four changes to his starting line-up, including handing Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold his first start for almost two years.

England controlled possession from the outset, although the Czech Republic posed a threat on the counter-attack. Morgan Rogers, replacing Jude Bellingham, went closest early on when he swivelled inside the penalty area and hit the post after 15 minutes.

Elliot Anderson and Bukayo Saka were also denied as England continued to apply pressure and the ball repeatedly broke loose inside the hosts’ box.

The match shifted in the 25th minute when Lyon midfielder Pavel Sulc was dismissed for a high challenge on Anderson. Turkish referee Umut Meler initially showed a yellow card, but changed the decision to red after reviewing the incident on VAR.

The Czech Republic then concentrated on defending, leaving England to search for a way through around the edge of the penalty area. Clear opportunities remained limited, with Kane forcing Matej Kovar to push a curling effort wide in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

England needed only a few minutes of the second half to move ahead. Gordon met a precise cross from Alexander-Arnold and headed the ball back across Kovar and into the net.

“It’s always an honour and a pleasure to represent my country,” said Alexander-Arnold. “It’s been a long time, but I’ve always believed I can play for England.”

The goal was Gordon’s third in three matches for England, following strikes against Argentina in the World Cup semi-final defeat and Spain.

Lewis Hall narrowly missed the chance to add a second, while Czech captain Ladislav Krejci inadvertently directed a Hall cross against his own post.

Kane then doubled England’s lead midway through the second half, firing past Kovar after the ball fell to him inside the area. The England manager made several substitutions late on and his side created further chances, but Kovar prevented a wider margin.

The result puts England second in Group A3, three points behind Spain, who beat Croatia 4-1 in Seville. England visit Croatia on Saturday, while the Czech Republic host Spain.