Pavel Sulc’s first-half red card helped England recover from a nervy start to register an Anthony Gordon-inspired 2-0 Nations League win over the Czech Republic in Prague.

While the Three Lions toiled in the early stages and nearly fell behind twice to presentable chances wasted by Sulc, Barcelona winger Gordon, supported by former Newcastle team-mate Lewis Hall, was a threat throughout. He came close to teeing up an opener while the two sides were still 11 vs 11, but saw Morgan Rogers curl his low cross against the far post on the turn.

Even once Sulc had been dismissed following a VAR review for a studs-up challenge on the shin of Elliot Anderson, it took a reshuffle from Thomas Tuchel and the half-time arrival of Eberechi Eze for many of his team-mates to catch up following a particularly nervous and passive opening period from the Three Lions.

But once they did, it was Gordon who took full advantage less than two minutes after the restart to stoop and turn Trent Alexander-Arnold’s typically inviting cross home, netting for the third competitive game in a row.

Alexander-Arnold later revealed to ITV: “I spoke to Anthony at half-time and I said if I’m getting in the half spaces and putting them [crosses] in, make sure you get to the back post.

“You don’t expect it to happen that quickly, but it did and it worked.”

Hall, too, nearly got his just desserts when his dangerous low delivery was turned onto his own post by Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci with Rogers sniffing.

Coincidentally it would be a mix of Rogers and a deflection off Krejci that would tee-up Harry Kane, who else, to sweep home a second with England’s next attack to put the result beyond doubt and add his 87th international goal.

That gave Tuchel the confidence to give out two competitive debuts to Alex Scott and Rio Ngumoha, both introduced shortly afterwards.

Scott would come within inches of a debut goal while Rogers and Eze both also went lose to adding to England’s lead, but the Three Lions would at least see out a comfortable and much-needed win to get their Nations League campaign off the ground at the second attempt.

The key moments from Prague

5: CHANCE! A simple ball over the top is misjudged by Anderson and reaches Sulc, who holds off Trevor Chalobah but is denied by James Trafford when the goalkeeper is quick off his line.

13: SULC AGAIN! Sulc is given space to run in outside the area and is hesitant to take a shot, before eventually seeing an effort blocked by Chalobah’s head.

16: OFF THE POST! Out of nothing England nearly strike as Rogers turns on the ball and fires against the far post from Gordon’s low cross.

21: CLOSE! Gordon himself goes close next, bending just wide after cutting in off the flank.

25: RED CARD! Having twice gone close for the hosts, Czech player of the year Sulc sees a yellow card upgraded to a red by VAR for a high lunge on Anderson.

38: GORDON DANGER! The flying winger gets beyond his man and whips a low ball in which Michal Sadilek bundles behind, only just beyond his own goalframe.

45: KANE CHANCE! Captain Kane goes close in his first chance of the game, turning and shooting from 20 yards and forcing Matej Kovar into a one-handed stop.

46: SUB! Eze is brought on for Myles Lewis-Skelly at the interval to give England’s midfield more attacking threat.

47: GOAL! The Three Lions get their second half off to the perfect start as Alexander-Arnold’s wicked cross is headed home by a stooping Gordon.

63: OFF THE POST! Another low cross nearly results in an own goal as Hall’s delivery is turned onto his own post by Krejci.

69: GOAL! Rogers and Krejci compete for a loose ball which falls to Kane, who makes no mistake sweeping home into the far corner.

72: SUBS! Kane and Gordon make way to give Ngumoha and Scott their competitive debuts.

87: CHANCE! Scott goes close on debut with a rising effort which flies just over from 20 yards.

Tuchel: We needed more dynamism

England head coach Thomas Tuchel on ITV:

“We played very professionally in the second half. We stepped up, we needed to be a bit more dynamic and put a bit more urgency into our play.

“We kept the intensity going and it was very professional. The effort was still there, it was a deserved victory. It’s a bit strange to get an early red card, it’s not the best for the spectators or the teams.

“But we got an important win, and that’s what counts.”

Gordon: I’ve been dying to play with Trent

England goalscorer and man-of-the-match Anthony Gordon on ITV:

“I make that run time and time again and only a certain type of player has got the technique, ability and bravery to make the mistake playing that pass.

“Credit to Trent, that’s why he’s so good. I’ve been dying to play with him for that reason.

“Trent’s had his own journey with England. He would have liked to have played more than he has but he’s a great character. He’s a great addition.”

Alexander-Arnold: I always believed I would play for England again

England returnee Trent Alexander-Arnold on ITV:

“It was amazing, always an honour and pleasure to represent my country.

“It’s been a long time but I’ve always believed that I can play for England and I always want to.

“The belief is always there, it’s about proving it at club level. The manager gave me the chance tonight to play and to try to follow what he asked of me to the best of my ability. Hopefully he’s happy with how I played.”

Analysis: Alexander-Arnold showed what England have been missing

Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett in Prague:

“Trent Alexander-Arnold was always going to make the headlines in his first start for two years.

“There was one moment of real class and plenty of other impressive cameos which showed Tuchel – and the England supporters – what they’ve been missing for so long.

“His curling cross at the start of the second half which pin-pointed Anthony Gordon’s head was joyous, as was the gleeful way the Barcelona man scored his third England goal in as many matches. Gordon has really blossomed into one of England’s most exciting and important attacking players.

“Overall, England did enough. There will be plenty of fans who will think they should have put Czech Republic to the sword, especially seeing as the home side played for over an hour with 10-men.

“But against the deepest of deep blocks, England worked hard to eventually get the breakthrough and Kane’s sharp finish sealed a solid if unspectacular victory.

“There were no obvious injuries, which is a plus. The second of four matches in 11 days won’t live long in the memory, but job done for Tuchel.”

England’s upcoming Nations League Group A3 fixtures

Saturday October 3: Croatia (A), kick-off 5pm

Tuesday October 6: Czech Republic (H), kick-off 7.45pm

Trent Alexander-Arnold “always believed” he could play for England again following his period in the international wilderness under Thomas Tuchel.

The 27-year-old defender made his first start for the Three Lions in almost two years in the 2-0 win over Czech Republic.

Alexander-Arnold had fallen out of favour under Tuchel over the past year or so, missing out on the World Cup squad this summer.

The Real Madrid player’s last appearance for the national team came in June 2025, in a World Cup qualifier against Andorra.

But the former Liverpool defender made a good impression on his return, grabbing an assist for Anthony Gordon’s opening goal as England swatted aside 10-man Czech Republic.

Alexander-Arnold told ITV Sport: “It was amazing, always an honour and pleasure to represent my country.

“It’s been a long time but I’ve always believed that I can play for England and I always want to.

“The belief is always there, it’s about proving it at club level. The manager gave me the chance tonight to play and to try to follow what he asked of me to the best of my ability. Hopefully he’s happy with how I played.”

On England’s overall performance, he added: “I think it was good. They go down to 10 and there’s more pressure on us to win, but it actually makes it more difficult. They get very compact and defend with a lot of players, we have a lot of the ball but it’s hard to break them down.

“We got that early on in the second half which is what we needed. The longer that game goes on as a 0-0, it gets harder, they gain belief they can hold out and it was good to get that second goal.”

Gordon was full of praise for Alexander-Arnold’s assist that opened the scoring for England.

He said: “I make that run time and time again and only a certain type of player has got the technique, ability and bravery to make the mistake playing that pass. Credit to Trent, that’s why he’s so good. I’ve been dying to play with him for that reason.

“Trent’s had his own journey with England. He would have liked to have played more than he has but he’s a great character. He’s a great addition.”

Tuchel praises Alexander-Arnold performance

England head coach Thomas Tuchel speaking to ITV on the quality of Alexander-Arnold’s assist:

“Yeah, not a lot could convert it! There was an awful lot for him to do, to guide it into the far post was an excellent finish. A good pass and a good goal.

“[Alexander-Arnold and Lewis Hall] were both good. The position in the second half suited Trent a little bit more than in the first half, and Lewis was excellent on the other side.

“We’ve used all outfield players in the first two games and credit to them.”

England’s upcoming Nations League Group A3 fixtures

Saturday October 3: Croatia (A), kick-off 5pm

Tuesday October 6: Czech Republic (H), kick-off 7.45pm