Proud night for Dan Burn with England – Whilst Tuchel admits Anthony Gordon injury concerns | OneFootball

Dan Burn can be happy with his contribution at Wembley on Friday night and it could have been so much better if his header from a first half corner had hit the back of the net instead of the crossbar.

The Newcastle United defender playing the full ninety minutes against a very negative Albania side, who at 1-0 down and even 2-0 behind, still didn’t really come out of their defensive shell.

Dan Burn could have done better defensively a couple of times in the second half but he did alright overall.

Like so many other England matches, especially in friendlies and qualifiers, this was a tough watch.

Endless passing and passing and then when the ball was eventually worked to the attacking players, both Rashford and Foden refusing to get at the Albania defence, no willing to make them commit, no trying to create.

To be honest, I can’t remember Phil Foden ever playing well for England, maybe he has the odd time, but that is swamped by the sheer number of performances like this.

A cool finish on his debut by Lewis-Skelly in the 20th minute gave England the lead, the teenager probably England’s best player on a tedious night of international football.

Then Harry Kane eventually confirmed the win with his latest international goal on 77 minutes.

Tino Livramento an unused sub in this World Cup group qualifier.

Injury concerns though for Anthony Gordon who came on in the 74th minute for Rashford but left the pitch at the end with a potential hip injury.

The Newcastle United winger had barely got into the game before he was involved in a challenge on the left touchline, which left him in pain as he clutched his hip.

Gordon carried on but then went to ground to get treatment just before the final whistle, then as his teammates applauded the fans who were still inside Wembley, the Newcastle star limped off.

Thomas Tuchel asked about Anthony Gordon after the match:

“He looks injured.

“First of all, I thought it was his stomach.

“But no, it’s his hip.

“Unfortunately, it does not look good.”

Whilst England play Latvia three days after this win over Albania, there are seventeen days between last night’s match and when Anthony Gordon is free from club suspension and can play for Newcastle away at Leicester on Monday 7 April, if injury allows…

This is the March 2025 international schedule for Newcastle United players:

Thursday 20 March

Italy 1 Germany 2

Sandro Tonali man of the match for Italy in this Nations League play-off first leg.

Scored a very well taken ninth minute goal and ran the show for Italy, creating great chances for teammates that were wasted. Germany fighting back though to win it with two second-half goals.

Greece 0 Scotland 1

Odysseas Vlachodimos dropped to the bench, presumably due to getting no football with Newcastle United. Scotland scoring with one of only two shots on target to get a surprise win in the first leg of this Nations League play-off, McTominay from the penalty spot.

Slovakia 0 Slovenia 0

A great display from Martin Dubravka with some fine saves, to help keep Slovakia on level terms in the first leg of this Nations League play-off.

Brazil 2 Colombia 1

Bruno Guimaraes started and Joelinton replaced an injured Gerson on 28 minutes. A massive win in this World Cup group qualifier, Brazil now second in the South American qualifying group and now looking all but certain to be in those 2026 finals. A sixth minute penalty from Raphinha was equalised by Diaz just before half-time, Vinicius Junior with a dramatic late deflected winning in the ninth minute of added time.

Friday 21 March

England 2 Albania 0

A cool finish on his debut by Lewis-Skelly in the 20th minute gave England the lead, then Harry Kane confirmed the win with his latest international goal on 77 minutes. Dan Burn can be happy with his contribution overall and it could have been so much better if his header from a first half corner had hit the back of the net instead of the crossbar. Injury concerns though for Anthony Gordon who came on in the 74th minute for Rashford but left the pitch at the end with a potential hip injury. Tino Livramento an unused sub in this World Cup group qualifier.

Saturday 22 March

Luxembourg v Sweden (Alexander Isak) Friendly

Sunday 23 March

Scotland v Greece (Odysseas Vlachodimos) Nations League Play-Off

Germany v Italy (Sandro Tonali) Nations League Play-Off

Slovenia v Slovakia (Martin Dubravka) Nations League Play-Off

Monday 24 March

England v Latvia (Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn) World Cup group qualification

Tuesday 25 March

Argentina v Brazil (Bruno Guimaraes is suspended for this match after picking up that latest yellow card against Colombia, Joelinton available though) World Cup group qualifier