Tuchel Critiques Wembley Atmosphere Following England’s Victory
October 13, 2025 – 02:48 PM ET
England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed disappointment with the atmosphere at Wembley stadium after his team’s convincing 3-0 victory over Wales. Tuchel noted that the crowd’s energy “didn’t match the performance” of the players on the field.
As they prepare to face Latvia in a crucial World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday, England captain Harry Kane is set to return to action. Kane missed the friendly against Wales due to an ankle injury sustained while playing for Bayern Munich but resumed training over the weekend and is available for selection.
“Harry is fit and ready to go,” Tuchel confirmed, stating that the team made a prudent decision by allowing him a brief break. “He has been in excellent form during training, and I have no concerns about his ability to play a full match.”
Kane’s comeback is particularly timely as Ollie Watkins will not be participating in the upcoming match due to an injury he suffered while attempting to score in the previous game. After colliding with a post, Watkins managed to play until halftime before being substituted for Marcus Rashford.
Watkins was seen limping after the match but has since returned to Aston Villa for treatment and will aim to be fit for their Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
“It’s unfortunate that Ollie had to leave the squad due to pain,” Tuchel remarked. “He couldn’t train with us, so he is now focusing on his recovery with his club.”
England can secure their World Cup spot with a win in Latvia, having won all five of their qualifying matches thus far without conceding a goal. Tuchel emphasized the importance of respecting their opponents as they face this away match, noting the potential to clinch qualification early, especially after recent results favoring them.
Preparations are underway, and while Tuchel has yet to finalize his starting eleven, he is determined to field a robust team. “We are building momentum,” he stated. “The players are focused, training diligently, and there is a good spirit among the squad. It’s essential to have a team that understands how to work together.”
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