Reece James, the Chelsea captain, delivered a stellar performance for England in a 3-0 victory over Latvia at Wembley, earning him the Man of the Match honors. This was his first start for the Three Lions since September 2022, marking a triumphant return after injury setbacks. The highlight was his jaw-dropping free-kick in the 38th minute—a 25-yard curler that bent around the Latvian wall and nestled into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Krisjanis Zviedris rooted. It was his first senior international goal in his 18th cap, breaking the deadlock after a frustrating first half where England struggled to penetrate Latvia’s deep defense.
Beyond the goal, James was a force. He completed 96 of 97 passes (a 99% accuracy rate), made 11 passes into the final third, won possession 5 times, and recovered the ball 8 times across the match. Defensively, he was solid at right-back, with a crunching tackle that set the tone, and he even shifted into midfield late in the game, showing versatility. His set-piece mastery drew comparisons to David Beckham from pundits like Roy Keane, while fans on X hailed him as England’s best player that night. Harry Kane and Eberechi Eze added second-half goals to seal the win, but James’ display stole the show.
This performance under new England boss Thomas Tuchel—who’s now 2-for-2 in wins—reaffirmed James’ world-class quality when fit. His muted celebration, a shrug despite teammates’ mobbing, sparked chatter—some linked it to his injury struggles or a subtle jab at doubters. Either way, at 25, he reminded everyone why he’s a cornerstone for club and country when on the pitch. Want more on his stats, the game’s context, or reactions? Let me know where to dig deeper!
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