England breaks down stubborn Czechs to claim first NL win

Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane were on target again as England saw off 10-man Czech Republic 2-0 to get its Nations League campaign up and running on Tuesday.

Thomas Tuchel's side lost an entertaining opener 3-2 against world champion Spain at Wembley on Saturday, while the Czechs were beaten by Croatia.

The home team kept England at bay in the first half at the Fortuna Arena in Prague despite being a man down, but Gordon broke the deadlock shortly after the break and Kane gave England a cushion.

"Deserved victory," said Tuchel. "It's strange to get an early red card. It's not the best for the spectators, not the best for the team.

"It's an awkward one, but we got an important win and that's what counts."

Tuchel made four changes to his starting lineup from the weekend, bringing in Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold for his first start in almost two years.

England dominated possession early in the contest, but the home side had some bright moments on the break.

Morgan Rogers, in for Jude Bellingham, struck the post after a brilliant swivel in the box after 15 minutes, before Elliot Anderson and Bukayo Saka were denied as the ball pinged around.

The game changed complexion in the 25th minute when Lyon midfielder Pavel Sulc was sent off for a high challenge on Anderson.

He was initially given a yellow card, but Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler upgraded it to a red following a VAR check.

The Czechs then switched into survival mode as England began probing for openings around the box, but it struggled to create any meaningful chances.

Captain Kane went close as the clock ticked into stoppage time at the end of the first half, but goalkeeper Matej Kovar pushed his curling shot wide.

The visitor finally broke the deadlock in the early moments of the second half, when the lively Gordon headed Alexander-Arnold's pinpoint cross back across Kovar and into the net.

"It's always an honor and a pleasure to represent my country," said Alexander-Arnold. "It's been a long time, but I've always believed I can play for England."

It was Gordon's third goal in three games for the Three Lions, including one against Argentina in their World Cup semifinal defeat and another against Spain on Saturday. The win takes England second in Group A3, three points behind Spain.

Yamal inspires Spain

Lamine Yamal scored two goals and set up another as Spain hammered Croatia 4-1 on Tuesday in its first home game since lifting the World Cup.

Yamal, 19, was joined on the scoresheet by Marc Pubill and Nico Williams as Spain extended its unbeaten run to 40 matches, which includes June's final triumph over Argentina in the United States.

Yamal's contribution strengthened his case for the Ballon d'Or, with voting having closed on Monday and the winner to be announced on Oct 26.

"We've enjoyed his magic in the service of the team. In the future, he'll be much more recognized for what he does and for his contribution to the team's play," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told Teledeporte.

Captain Rodri showed off the World Cup trophy before kickoff at the packed Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, being handed it by Sevilla legend Jesus Navas, a winner with Spain in 2010.

"We were very excited to bring the trophy here," Yamal said.

"To be able to win the game and bring it home is great," he added.

Attackers Yamal, Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal started the game, having scored in Saturday's thrilling 3-2 win over England at Wembley.

Croatia made six changes from the weekend's win over the Czech Republic, leaving icon Luka Modric on the bench.

Yamal opened the scoring within two minutes against the Three Lions and took just 75 seconds to do so against Slaven Bilic's side in Andalusia.

Yamal claimed his second after 63 minutes, beating Barcelona teammate and Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic at his near post.

The teenager's second took his tally of international goals to 10 in 35 appearances.

"The first half could have ended 4-1 or 5-1, and the second half was more of the same," De la Fuente said.

AFP