{"id":1498915,"date":"2026-10-01T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&p=1498915"},"modified":"2026-10-01T09:16:59","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T08:16:59","slug":"anthony-gordon-analysis-england-form","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/anthony-gordon-analysis-england-form\/","title":{"rendered":"How Anthony Gordon has joined England’s elite core"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Anthony Gordon<\/a> provided the key for England<\/a> to unlock the Czech Republic<\/a> in the Nations League on Tuesday, continuing what has been an incredible coming of age at international level.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gordon nodded home a Trent Alexander-Arnold<\/a> cross from close range just after half-time following a frustrating first 45 minutes for the Three Lions, who went on to claim a 2-0 victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That strike came just days after Gordon applied a stylish finish to a sweeping England counter-attack in their 3-2 defeat to Spain<\/a> at Wembley. This sort of form is the continuation of a trend rather than a rare moment in the sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

England rise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gordon made his senior England debut in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Brazil<\/a> in March 2024. But he endured a tough start to life with the Three Lions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The former Everton<\/a> academy player failed to score or assist in his first eight caps before he finally netted in a 5-0 Nations League win over the Republic of Ireland in November 2024. Nevertheless, by the time Gordon completed 45 minutes against New Zealand<\/a> in the buildup to the 2026 World Cup, his record stood at just two goals and zero assists in 18 caps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During that time, Gordon played just one minute in England’s run to the Euro 2024 final, while struggling to string together consecutive starts in any competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But everything changed when England beat Costa Rica 3-0 in their final World Cup warmup match. Gordon assisted Declan Rice<\/a>‘s opener in the first half and scoring from the penalty spot after the break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group stages in North America were nothing to write home about. But Gordon came to life in the knockout rounds. First, he assisted both of Harry Kane<\/a>‘s goals in England’s 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo in the last-32. Then, he provided further assists against Mexico<\/a> and Norway<\/a>, before opening the scoring as England heartbreakingly lost 2-1 in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Anthony Gordon's game by numbers vs. Czechia:

81 minutes played
62 touches
43\/46 successful passes
11 touches in opp. box
4 chances created
2\/4 shots on target
2 duels won
1\/4 successful take-ons
1 goal

Three goals in three England appearances. \ud83d\udd25 https:\/\/t.co\/5DFlptyr6G<\/a><\/p>— Squawka (@Squawka) September 30, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>