England cruise past Wales without Kane as Saka shines on his Three Lions return

England eased past Wales at Wembley despite captain Harry Kane missing out through injury.

Early goals from Aston Villa duo Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers were followed by a stunner from Bukayo Saka to see off Craig Bellamy’s side.

Kane had started all six of England’s matches since Thomas Tuchel took over but after the striker was ruled out with an ankle injury, with Declan Rice stepping up to captain the side in his place.

It did not take long for the Three Lions to take the lead. Rogers scored his first goal for England three minutes in when Marc Guehi brilliantly prevented the ball from going out of play, before finding the Villa man unmarked in the area to slot home.

His first goal of the season is an ENGLAND goal! 🦁

Morgan Rogers taps in after a clever bit of play from Guehi 🥶#ITVFootbal | @England pic.twitter.com/7pvRBeFirs

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) October 9, 2025

Watkins led the line for England in Kane’s place and he was on the scoresheet after just 11 minutes. Much the same as the first goal, it was another corner that was the cause of Wales’ problems. Rice swung the ball in from the left to Guehi whose header across goal landed at the feet of Watkins, who could not miss from two yards out.

TWO FOR ENGLAND! ⚽️⚽️

It's all too easy for the Three Lions – Watkins finishes from point-blank range#ITVFootball | #ThreeLions | @England pic.twitter.com/I0KNyD89Hl

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) October 9, 2025

It would not get any easier for Wales as England made it three just eight minutes later. Saka was not involved in England’s matches against Andorra and Serbia last month because of injury, but showed his importance to his national side on his return. The winger cut in from the right and bent a wonderful strike into the top corner to score his 13th goal for England, making him Arsenal’s highest ever scorer for the nation.

THE BEST ONE YET! 🦁

England RAMPANT – Saka EXTRAORDINARY 🤩#ITVFootball | #ThreeLions | @England pic.twitter.com/AzuOseJMC2

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) October 9, 2025

Matters could have been even worse for Wales before the break as Watkins and Guehi both missed chances in the last five minutes of the half. Watkins’ chance was the biggest miss of the two as his attempt from two yards out was sliced well over the bar with the goal gaping.

Wales improved in the second half, though things could not have been much worse than in the first, but it was a comfortable night for England, who face Latvia on Tuesday knowing a win will seal their place in the 2026 World Cup should Serbia fail to win either of their upcoming games.