By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (October 9^th 2025)

Rogers Delivers Statement

Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers cemented his growing reputation – begun in last month’s 5-0 drubbing of Serbia. Rogers played an important part in two of England’s three goals and hit the crossbar before departing to a standing ovation.

“Morgan is what he is,” Tuchel told journalists. “He is a number 10 and he is competing for his place. He is in a good way.

“We are ready for any team effort. We created a lot of chances. We could use Harry Kane all the time, but we need to play without Harry and Jude – the guys are injured.”

Rogers played a crucial role in winning the corner that led to England’s opener, pulling it back from the byline for Anthony Gordon to shoot, but he was denied by goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

With virtually the first attack Rogers retrieved the ball by the byline and pulled it back for Anthony Gordon to shoot, but he was denied by goalkeeper Karl Darlow. Declan Rice, captaining England in the absence of Harry Kane took the corner, which was headed on by John Stones and retrieved by Marc Guéhi on the right byline. He pulled it back for Rogers to open the scoring after 2 minutes.

Bukayo Saka, Rogers and finally Guéhi with a faint nod on were involved in England’s second after 11 minutes – a tap in at the far post by Ollie Watkins to score from close range. The pick of the three goals was undoubtedly the third. A flowing move culminated in Ezri Konsa setting up Saka to unleash a stunning strike from the right of the area into the opposite top corner.

Rice’s freekick after just over half an hour just cleared the crossbar. Guéhi was yellow-carded for a foul on Kiefer Moore. Just before half-time Watkins should have made it four, but despite an open goal from Elliott Anderson’s cross, he somehow missed and collided with the post, resulting in him being replaced by Marcus Rashford for the second half.

Improvement

Chances were exchanged, but no further goals came. Wales’ second half performance was a marked improvement on the first half. “I wanted this game,” said Welsh manager Craig Bellamy. “I needed to see where we are.”

Wales got the stiff test that Bellamy was after, despite the absence of England’s record-scorer Harry Kane.

“We had to suffer a lot of pain,” Bellamy said. “I need to improve. The group need to improve.”

Wales face Belgium on Monday night in a must win match.