The excitement surrounding BD Cricket Match fans often mirrors the energy of a high-stakes football qualifier, and England delivered another commanding performance in their march toward the 2026 World Cup. Already dominant in their group, England entered the latest round having won all six of their previous matches, keeping a clean sheet in each one. Their attacking firepower was undeniable, scoring eighteen goals across those fixtures and securing top spot with ease, locking in their ticket to the World Cup well in advance.
On this matchday, England hosted Serbia in the penultimate round of qualifiers. From the opening minutes, England showed a clear advantage in both attack and defense. Serbia created few threats, while England capitalized clinically through goals from Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, completing a smooth 2-0 victory. Under UEFA’s World Cup qualifying rules, twelve group winners advance directly to the final tournament, while four additional places are decided through playoffs. Serbia arrived in England sitting third in the group, just one point behind Albania. To keep their playoff hopes alive, they knew they needed points from their final two matches.
Facing the same Serbian side they had beaten 5-0 in the reverse fixture, England—already qualified—lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Pickford started in goal, with O’Reilly, Stones, Konsa and Reece James forming the back line. Declan Rice and Anderson partnered in midfield, while Rashford, Rodgers and Saka supported Harry Kane up front. England dominated possession early, creating several promising attacks. In the 14th minute, Serbia’s defenders survived a string of threatening moves. Four minutes later, Saka cut inside from the right but sent his shot over the bar. In the 25th minute, Rashford’s clever move into the box resulted in a curled attempt that Serbia’s goalkeeper gathered safely.
England’s persistence paid off in the 28th minute. A right-side set piece was initially cleared, but England reclaimed the second ball and quickly recycled it into the box. Saka reacted sharply, finishing from the right to make it 1-0. Before halftime, Kane and Rodgers both produced dangerous headers, but neither effort found the net. When the second half began, England continued to control the match. Rashford had a golden one-on-one chance in the 61st minute but miscontrolled the ball. Serbia responded two minutes later with a swift counterattack, as Kostic’s cross found Vlahovic, whose clever backheel attempt drifted just wide.
To regain full control of midfield, England made triple substitutions in the 66th minute, bringing on Henderson, Bellingham and Foden. From that point forward, Serbia were unable to mount any meaningful threat. England sealed the match in the 90th minute when Eze curled in a fine finish from the left flank, setting the final score at 2-0 and extinguishing Serbia’s hopes. Remarkably, this marked only the fifth time in England’s history that two Arsenal players scored in the same match—a moment that will sit fondly in the memory of supporters.
As the final whistle blew, the result felt as decisive as a one-sided BD Cricket Match where the momentum never shifts back. England now move forward with seven straight wins, their confidence soaring as they bring their dominant form ever closer to the World Cup stage.