England face the Czech Republic in Prague on Tuesday needing a response to an opening Nations League defeat that contained both encouragement and costly carelessness.
Thomas Tuchel’s side lost 3-2 to Spain at Wembley after conceding very early and allowing further avoidable openings, despite recovering well enough to make a contest of it against the world champions. The Czechs arrive in the same position after Croatia won in Prague, so neither team has a point after the first round of Group A3 fixtures.
A result would improve the immediate picture, but the more significant issue for England is whether they can retain the aggression and attacking intent shown against Spain without repeating the individual mistakes that decided that match.
England’s selection problem begins at the back
Nico O’Reilly will not feature after missing training, removing one of the players most closely associated with England’s defensive difficulties against Spain. Ezri Konsa is also a concern after training separately, although reporting before the game stopped short of definitively ruling him out.
That leaves Tuchel with decisions that are tactical as well as medical. Lewis Hall is widely expected to come into the side at left-back after a minor problem kept him out of the Spain game. At right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold is pressing for a recall, while reports also suggest Tuchel could maintain continuity with Jarell Quansah.
The uncertainty illustrates a broader issue. England’s pressing and counter-pressing against Spain earned praise from Tuchel, who pointed to the number of recoveries his team made high up the pitch. But a high defensive line and an assertive press demand precision behind the ball. One loose pass, mistimed challenge or poorly judged position can expose the structure quickly.
Against a Czech side likely to value transitions and home momentum, England’s full-backs will be central to that balance. Alexander-Arnold would add range and creativity in possession; Hall can offer a more natural outlet on the left. Yet neither choice by itself resolves the question of how England protect their central defenders when attacks break down.
James Trafford is set to remain in goal. Tuchel has framed the Leeds goalkeeper’s place as part of a two-match opportunity in Dean Henderson’s absence, so the Spain result has not prompted an immediate change. That is a notable vote of confidence, but it also means England have little room for another disjointed defensive display.
Czech Republic have their own absences
The hosts were beaten by Croatia despite Adam Karabec scoring an equaliser after Luka Modric had put the visitors ahead. Karabec later went off injured, leaving his involvement against England in doubt. Tomas Soucek is unavailable through injury, depriving the Czech Republic of an experienced midfield leader, while Vladimir Coufal is expected to captain the team.
One report expects Newcastle goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek to start ahead of Tottenham’s Antonin Kinsky. That choice, if confirmed, would be a substantial moment for a side that will expect England to control long periods of possession.
The loss of Soucek could particularly affect the hosts at both ends. His absence reduces an obvious target at set pieces and removes a player who can help contest the second balls that often decide matches against England. Croatia’s victory nonetheless showed that the Czech Republic can stay competitive in a game shaped by small margins: Karabec’s response to Modric’s opener briefly restored parity before Marco Pasalic settled it after the interval.
A test of Tuchel’s developing identity
Tuchel has resisted describing this as an essential win, which is reasonable so early in a group phase. Still, England cannot entirely separate the fixture from the unease surrounding the end of their World Cup campaign and the scrutiny of Tuchel’s decisions in that semi-final defeat to Argentina.
The manager’s stated aim is for England to develop a recognisable identity, drawing lessons from the cohesion Spain have established without merely attempting to imitate them. The performance at Wembley offered elements of that: England competed bravely, forced high turnovers and showed character after a dreadful start. The missing ingredient was control at decisive moments.
That is why Prague is more than a straightforward opportunity to collect points. If England dominate possession but leave spaces for Czech counter-attacks, concerns from Saturday will persist regardless of the score. If they combine their pressing intensity with cleaner rest defence and calmer use of the ball, the match can provide evidence that the Spain defeat was an early setback rather than a recurring flaw.
The recent competitive head-to-head record favours England, who have lost only one of five meetings with the Czech Republic. Their last encounter came at the delayed Euro 2020, when England won 1-0. That history offers context, not certainty: England travel with defensive questions, while the Czech Republic have a home match in which a disciplined display could quickly alter the mood in the group.
Kick-off at Prague’s Fortuna Arena is scheduled for 7.45pm BST, with UK coverage on ITV1 and ITVX.