England Takes Control with Kane Goals in Serbia Qualifier

England holds a commanding position in their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign, notably taking a 2-0 lead in Serbia thanks to goals from captain Harry Kane and Noni Madueke. Kane, who is England’s record goalscorer, is chasing several milestones including equaling Wayne Rooney’s record for scoring away goals against different international teams, with Serbia possibly becoming the 16th such team. Despite the lead in the qualifiers, questions linger over Thomas Tuchel's effectiveness as England's manager, as his team has struggled to display a consistent attacking style and faced criticism after a friendly loss to Senegal. The upcoming match in Belgrade is seen as a pivotal moment for Tuchel’s side, especially given the absence of key players like John Stones and Jude Bellingham, and the intimidating atmosphere at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, where England has not played since Serbia became independent. England remains defensively strong under Tuchel, having not conceded in six competitive matches, and a clean sheet against Serbia would tie their all-time record for consecutive shutouts. The fixture carries high stakes as a win could put England eight points clear, substantially advancing their qualification chances, while a Serbian victory would tighten the group significantly.