England boss 'not happy' despite qualifying win

Staff WritersAAP
Camera IconGoalscorer Harry Kane salutes fans after England's lacklustre World Cup qualifying win over Andorra. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAP

England manager Thomas Tuchel felt his side lacked "urgency and quality" as they laboured to a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Andorra in Barcelona.

Harry Kane grabbed the winner in a scrappy game when he broke the deadlock early in the second half, turning in lively Noni Madueke's cross, but the expected goals onslaught did not follow.

"I am not happy with the performance, of course," German coach Tuchel said.

"We started quite well in the first 20-25 minutes, which was the only part where I had the feeling it was only a matter of time, we created a lot of half-chances and from set-pieces, that we will score and keep on going.

"But we lost completely the momentum and couldn't get it back through the whole of the first half."

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Kane's goal, against a team ranked 173rd in the world, was his 72nd in 106 appearances for the Three Lions.

"We need to be better for sure," the Bayern Munich striker said.

"It's not one that many will remember ... but we take the three points and move on."

Elsewhere in Group K, Serbia began their campaign with a 0-0 draw away to Albania in Tirana.

The Netherlands' quest to reach next year's finals in the US, Canada and Mexico started with a 2-0 win over Finland in Helsinki.

Ronald Koeman's side - beaten in the Nations League quarter-finals by Spain on penalties - took an early lead through Memphis Depay in the sixth minute.

The Corinthians striker slotted in his 48th international goal and close to within two of Robin van Persie's all-time record.

Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries added a second before the break, converting a floated ball to the back post from Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo.

Group G's bottom side Malta picked up their first point after battling to a 0-0 draw against Lithuania at the Ta'Qali National Stadium.

Bosnia and Herzegovina kept up their perfect record in Group H as 39-year-old Edin Dzeko's second-half goal gave them a 1-0 win over minnows San Marino in Zenica for a third victory.

Austria, playing their first fixture, beat Romania 2-1 in Vienna.

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