Roy Keane has criticised England’s performance in their 2-0 win over Andorra, insisting Thomas Tuchel’s side “fell back into their old ways” despite collecting three points in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier at Villa Park.
England were back in action for the first time of the 2025–26 campaign against the European minnows, ranked 174th in the world by FIFA.
Tuchel named a strong starting XI as the hosts looked to improve on a flat display in the reverse fixture in June, when they edged a 1-0 victory in Barcelona.
This time, England broke the deadlock in the first half when an Andorra own goal gave them the advantage.
Declan Rice scored as England battled their way to victory over Andorra
|PA
Declan Rice added a second after the break, converting a simple finish from a Reece James cross to secure the result.
But while the win moved England closer to qualification for next summer’s World Cup in North America, the performance was again unconvincing.
Speaking as a pundit on ITV, former Manchester United captain Keane argued Tuchel would be frustrated by how his team laboured against such modest opposition.
“I don’t think the manager is too happy at the end,” Keane said.
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“I think he’d be frustrated again with the second half.
"We’re on about setting high standards and getting into good habits. I still think England fell back into their old ways again tonight. Certainly in the second half. Sidewards, backwards passes.
“We saw their two goals tonight, particularly the second one. Just from a cross. They’ve got to cross it a bit more. Don’t complicate the game.
"And I still think they’ve gone backwards too many times.”
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"I still think they (England) go backwards too many times."
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 6, 2025
Ian and Roy reflect on England v Andorra pic.twitter.com/yCrbIVIFZb
Keane highlighted Rice’s goal as an example of how England should simplify their attacking approach.
“Especially if you’ve got players like Reece James in possession," he continued.
"We saw the goal, it was very straightforward. Obviously he gets a good first touch and Declan just walks in there and the beauty with the cross, it’s almost set up for it because they’ve been used to dealing with balls in front of them.
"I watch all levels of football, as we all do. The amount of goals that come from crosses.”
England’s struggles to break down deep defences have been a recurring theme in recent years, with Tuchel himself warning before the match that Andorra’s compact shape would pose problems.
The German coach described facing them as “chewing gum football” and urged his players to show more enthusiasm than they did in June.
While the result extends England’s unbeaten run in qualifying, it also reinforces questions about whether Tuchel’s side can turn dominance into consistent attacking fluency against weaker opposition.
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Thomas Tuchel was left with much to ponder following England's victory over Andorra
|PA
With a more difficult trip to Serbia looming on Tuesday, Keane suggested improvements are essential.
“We’re on about habits and standards,” he said.
“You want to see them being more positive, with the talent they’ve got. Too often it’s side to side.”