England closed out their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in flawless fashion, defeating Albania 2-0 in Tirana to become the first European nation to win at least six qualifiers in a single campaign without conceding a goal. The result also extended England’s perfect record against Albania to eight wins from eight meetings, while the hosts head toward the playoffs.

Manager Thomas Tuchel made seven changes from the side that beat Serbia on Thursday, yet England quickly settled into control. Just four minutes in, Declan Rice brought down a high ball and forced Thomas Strakosha into the first save of the evening. Despite enjoying roughly 75% possession in the opening stages, England’s early threat was limited to another off-target strike from Rice.

Albania reminded the visitors they could not be taken lightly when Elseid Hysaj surged forward and fired narrowly over from distance, highlighting the defensive resilience that had seen the hosts concede just three goals in their previous seven qualifiers.

With nine minutes left in the first half, England finally carved out a clear opening. Jude Bellingham released Jarrod Bowen on the right, only for Strakosha to tip the winger’s effort wide. From the resulting corner, Jarell Quansah directed a header straight at the keeper as the sides went into the break level.

Albania nearly ended England’s remarkable clean-sheet streak early in the second half. Qazim Laçi’s inventive flick was easily saved, but moments later Arbër Hoxha unleashed a powerful strike that forced Dean Henderson into a superb stop. When Hoxha broke through again, Albania should have taken the lead, but the forward fired straight at Henderson.

England responded with chances of their own as Eberechi Eze was denied from a tight angle and Bellingham saw a rising effort land on the roof of the net. Bukayo Saka then squandered two promising openings, leaving England level entering the final quarter of a match for the first time in this qualifying cycle.

The breakthrough arrived in the 74th minute. Saka’s corner was inadvertently flicked on by an Albanian defender, and Harry Kane reacted quickest to turn the ball past Strakosha. Seven minutes later, Kane made sure of the points, heading in a precise Marcus Rashford cross for his eighth goal in Group K.

The victory means England will head to North America having won 11 competitive matches in a row, the longest such streak in their history. Albania, meanwhile, suffer their first defeat in nine games but will now regroup ahead of the World Cup playoffs.