Alexander-Arnold assists as England beat Czechia; Tuchel praises his return

Trent Alexander-Arnold set up Anthony Gordon’s opening goal as England beat Czechia 2-0 in Prague on Tuesday, 29 September, earning their first win in Nations League Group A3. It was Alexander-Arnold’s first England start under Thomas Tuchel. The manager praised his contribution, though Czechia played most of the match with ten men after a first-half dismissal.

The assist was the clearest change since NewsJaws reported Alexander-Arnold’s return to the England squad and England’s subsequent win over Czechia. His recall had raised the question of where Tuchel would use him; against Czechia, he began at right-back and delivered the cross that broke a goalless match early in the second half.

How Alexander-Arnold created Gordon’s opener

Czechia’s Pavel Šulc was sent off after 25 minutes for a challenge on Elliot Anderson, according to the Football Association’s match account. England had chances before the interval: Morgan Rogers struck a post and Matěj Kovář saved a Harry Kane effort. Despite the numerical advantage, the visitors went into half-time without a goal.

Barely a minute into the second half, Alexander-Arnold crossed from the right and Gordon headed into the bottom corner. UEFA’s account identifies that combination as England’s breakthrough. Kane later swept in a loose ball to complete the 2-0 win, giving England three points after their opening Group A3 defeat by Spain.

What Tuchel said about Alexander-Arnold’s position

Tuchel said Alexander-Arnold’s position in the second half suited him better than the position he occupied before the break. In comments reported by the Guardian after the match, Tuchel described the defender as secure on the ball and capable of making the difference with crosses. He also credited him with ‘solid defending’ and called his overall performance good.

That response matters because Alexander-Arnold had spent much of Tuchel’s England tenure outside the side. The Guardian reported that this was his first appearance for England since June 2025 and his 35th cap. He had been an unused substitute in the defeat by Spain days earlier, even as England pursued an equaliser. The Czechia start therefore gave him an opportunity to show what his passing could add in a competitive match.

The Guardian also reported that Tuchel had previously questioned Alexander-Arnold’s defensive understanding and had left him out of England’s World Cup squad. Those earlier decisions make the manager’s positive assessment in Prague significant, but his remarks after one game did not amount to a commitment to keep Alexander-Arnold in the starting side.

Why the red card limits the verdict

Czechia’s dismissal changed the conditions under which Alexander-Arnold played. Tuchel acknowledged that the red card had a ‘heavy influence’ on the match. With ten opponents to contain, England could spend more time attacking, and the Guardian’s analysis said Alexander-Arnold spent little of the subsequent game in his own half. His assist showed a valuable attacking contribution; the same match offered less evidence about how he would defend against an opponent able to apply sustained pressure.

Tuchel nevertheless said England had improved after half-time. In the FA’s account, he said the team became more dynamic and urgent while maintaining its effort, and he called the victory deserved. He also described an early red card as awkward for players and spectators. Those comments place his praise for Alexander-Arnold within his assessment of the whole team’s performance and the unusual shape of the game.

England’s next Group A3 test

England finished Matchday 2 second in Group A3, behind Spain, whose 4-1 win over Croatia gave them six points from two games. England’s next listed match is away to Croatia on Saturday, 3 October. Tuchel has not said whether Alexander-Arnold will start there or whether the positional adjustment that helped him against Czechia will become a regular feature.