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BBC Sport reporter Alex Howell provides ratings for England’s players following their 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic in the Nations League, with goals scored by Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane. The article highlights standout performances such as Alexander-Arnold's assist and Gordon's goal-scoring ability, while also noting that substitutes like Jude Bellingham and Eberechi Eze added energy to the midfield later in the match.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-29,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
### Overview of England vs Czech Republic Match
Match Details
- Date & Time: Tuesday, September 29, 2026 - Kick-off at 7:45 PM BST.
- Venue: Fortuna Arena, Prague.
TV Broadcasts and Live Streams
- TV Broadcast: ITV in the UK will provide live coverage starting from 7:00 PM BST with pre-match analysis.
- Live Stream: The match can be watched online via ITVX website or app (free registration required).
### Team News
#### England
Goalkeepers
- James Trafford - Expected to start based on recent performances against Spain and during training sessions in preparation for the Czech Republic match.
Defenders
- Ezri Konsa: Doubtful due to an ankle injury sustained during the game against Spain.
- Nico O'Reilly: Doubtful, also nursing an undisclosed injury from the same fixture.
- Jarell Quansah: Likely to start at right-back if Trent Alexander-Arnold is not fit to play.
Midfielders
- No significant updates on midfield line-up as of now.
Forwards
- Expected to retain key players who performed well against Spain, with some tactical adjustments possibly made by Thomas Tuchel based on the performance analysis from that game.
### Czech Republic
Goalkeepers
- Lukas Hornicek (Newcastle) - Expected starter over Antonin Kinsky due to better recent form and a solid performance in their last match against Croatia.
Defenders
- Captain Vladimir Coufal is expected to lead the defense, though Tomas Soucek's absence through injury may impact defensive solidity.
### Predicted Lineups
#### England
- Goalkeeper: James Trafford
- Defense (from right): Jarell Quansah, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall (if O'Reilly isn't fit), Jarrad Branthwaite (or Ezri Konsa if available)
- Midfielders:
- Likely to be the same core group as against Spain unless Tuchel makes tactical adjustments based on performance.
- Forwards: To maintain continuity, key attacking players who scored goals or contributed significantly in recent matches are likely to start.
#### Czech Republic
- Goalkeeper: Lukas Hornicek
- Defense (from right): Vladimir Coufal, Jan Boril, Vladislav Supriha
- Midfielders:
- Likely a mix of experienced and younger players with good form.
- Forwards: Expected to field their best attacking options from the previous game against Croatia.
### Prediction
England are expected to take full advantage of playing at home in the second match, looking for a win to solidify their position within the group. The Czech Republic, despite being strong and competitive, face a tough task away from home. England have an edge due to superior attacking options and depth in midfield which should be enough to secure three points.
Prediction: England 2 - 1 Czech Republic
### Key Players to Watch
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (Right Back, England):
- A chance for redemption after limited game time. Will need to provide defensive solidity alongside his attacking prowess.
- Lukas Hornicek (Goalkeeper, Czech Republic):
- Key to keeping a clean sheet, must be on form against strong English attack.
### Additional Notes
- Both teams have been closely watched by scouts from other nations and upcoming tournaments. This match could serve as an audition for future squads.
- Thomas Tuchel might use this opportunity to test out players who didn't get much game time in the previous matches, especially those showing promise at club level.
Written for “England vs Czech Republic Nations League” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 13 other(s) covering the same event.
- Published
England got their first win in the Nations League as Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane scored to beat the Czech Republic 2-0.
asserted
Gordon → publish → Republic
Here's how BBC Sport England reporter Alex Howell rated the players.
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Howell → rat → players
You can see how you scored them below.
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you → see → them
Trafford was very calm with the ball at his feet and showed his passing range which pleased Tuchel throughout.
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which → show → Tuchel
6
Trent Alexander-Arnold: Started his first England game for nearly two years.
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Arnold → start → years
7
Trevoh Chalobah: A shaky start from the centre back who lost possession a couple of times and lost out in challenges which frustrated manager Thomas Tuchel.
asserted
which → lose → Tuchel
But Chalobah settled and ensured England kept a clean sheet against 10-man Czech Republic.
asserted
England → settle → Republic
England didn't have much defending to do but he put in a couple of important blocks.
asserted
he → have → blocks
6
Lewis Hall: The left-back combined well with Anthony Gordon and offered a good outlet for England.
asserted
back → combine → England
Hall was a threat going forward and should have scored in the second half.
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Hall → go → half
7
Elliot Anderson: Dominated the midfield, kept the ball ticking for England and won possession back the few times that the Czech Republic ventured forward.
asserted
Republic → dominate → possession
7
Myles Lewis-Skelly: Started the game well and was given a lot of responsibility in England's build up play.
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Skelly → start → play
However, Lewis-Skelly was booked for a mis-timed tackle and then taken off at half time.
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Skelly → book → time
6
Morgan Rogers: Played Bukayo Saka through with a nice pass early on and hit the post twice.
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Rogers → play → post
Not given much room by a Czech side who defended very deep.
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who → give → side
6
Bukayo Saka: Not much of note to mark for Saka in what was a cagey match as England laboured when breaking down the Czech defence before Gordon's goal.
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England → mark → goal
6
Anthony Gordon: A constant threat in behind and put in a dangerous cross in the first half that deserved to end up with a goal.
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that → put → goal
Scored the opener and continues to show why he is becoming so important for the Three Lions.
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he → score → Lions
8
Harry Kane: A quieter night for Kane who dropped deep and went looking for the ball but the England captain still got on the score sheet with a good finish inside the area in the second half.
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captain → drop → half
6
Jude Bellingham (on 70, Kane): Took the captains armband and led the line.
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Bellingham → take → line
6
Alex Scott (on 70, Anderson): Made his England debut.
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Scott → make → debut
6
Rio Ngumoha (on 71, Saka): His first thought was to go forward.
asserted
thought → go → 71
6
Morgan Gibbs-White (on 81, Gordon):
Subs not used: Pickford, Steele, Konsa, Branthwaite, Garner, Calvert-Lewin, Quansah
How did you rate the players?
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you → use → players
The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
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rater → close → whistle
You must be signed in to a BBC account to play.
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You → sign → account
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
asserted
score → rate → users
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