Gordon sparks sleepy England after Czech red card

England started, as England often does, looking like they'd forgotten how to play football. A truly nervous opening against the Czech Republic. Then came the game-changer: Pavel Sulc's first-half red card. It started yellow, then VAR stepped in, saw the studs-up challenge on Elliot Anderson, and out came the red. Just like that, the scales tipped decisively.

Even with the numerical advantage, the Three Lions were hardly lighting up the pitch. Rhythm? Nowhere to be found. The Czechs, somehow, still managed to squander a couple of decent chances. Anthony Gordon, the Barcelona winger, was really the only one looking remotely bothered, flashing a bit of danger. A low cross from him, then a Morgan Rogers effort that curled agonisingly against the far post. A hint of what *could* be.

Sulc's dismissal forced Thomas Tuchel to shuffle his pack. Eberechi Eze came on at half-time. And just like that, the tactical tweaks paid off. Immediate dividends. Less than two minutes into the second half, Gordon was there, stooping to smash home Trent Alexander-Arnold's inviting cross. His third goal in as many competitive matches, apparently. Skysports.com says so.

Harry Kane, never one to miss a party, soon doubled the lead. A deflection off Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci, sure, but it counts. That's his 87th international goal, for the record. Morgan Rogers almost made it three. Substitute Alex Scott nearly grabbed a debut goal too. England, against ten men, suddenly looked comfortable. Cruising to the finish.

This win, however unconvincing it started, apparently gave Tuchel the courage he needed. Competitive debuts for Scott and Rio Ngumoha. A sign of intent, perhaps, in a campaign that frankly needed a serious kick up the backside after its 'second-attempt' start.