England's Harry Kane celebrates with team-mate Noni Madueke after scoring their side's first goal of the game during the World Cup Qualifier at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona, Spain. Picture date: Saturday June 7, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER England. Photo credit should read: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

England turned in a lacklustre performance as they staggered to a 1-0 win against Andorra in a dire World Cup qualifier, with Roy Keane slamming the lack of focus from Thomas Tuchel’s players.

The German coach called for relentlessness and patience against the side 173rd in FIFA’s world rankings but got neither as the stuttering Euro 2024 runners-up were jeered at the end of both halves.

This was the third time England have failed to score a first-half goal against Andorra in Barcelona, where the minnows kept out Steve McClaren’s side in 2007 and Fabio Capello’s team the following year.

There was a breakthrough shortly after the break in both of those matches, just as there was in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier when Harry Kane finally gave the 6,950 travelling fans something to cheer about.

England’s captain turned in lively Noni Madueke’s cross in the 50th minute, yet the goals did not flow from that point and slow play brought further grumbles.

Some fans made an early exit and there were more boos at the end of Tuchel’s third win in charge, with Keane quick to criticise their display on ITV Sport.

“We try and make excuses for England with the end of the season and it's been tough on the players," said Keane. "First-half was okay but when they scored the goal it was almost like it was job done.

“I was really disappointed with their attitude. The manager can't be happy with that effort in the last half an hour. They were at the Formula 1 last week, they have been having a lovely time, but you need to produce it on the pitch and they didn’t do that. Their focus wasn’t there.”

Tuchel was also highly critical of his team, in a forthright post match interview.

"I am not happy with the performance I think we started well in the first 20 or 25 minutes,” said Tuchel. "We created a lot of chances and half chances, and we lost completely the momentum and couldn't get it back in the first half. Got a little bit in the second half but then ended up in a place that was not good enough in terms of urgency.

"We can just admit it that it's not what we expect from us. We need to look at it in detail and do better on Tuesday."

"The message got across because we had a good 25 minutes but then the energy and the determination weren't there anymore. Then it looks like it does.

"I was most worried in the last 20 minutes because I did not like the attitude that we ended the game with. I didn't like the lack of urgency and it did not match the occasion. It is still a World Cup qualifier. We will let them know tomorrow what we want from them."

Source: The Irish Independent.