England 3-0 Wales, friendly result: Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions blow Wales away in first-half demolition as Rogers, Watkins and Saka score

England produced a classy first-half display to comfortably see off Wales in an international friendly at Wembley on Thursday.

Thomas Tuchel made some enforced changes to the team who hammered Serbia in the last international window, with Ollie Watkins replacing the injured Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and John Stones returning, and Djed Spence making his first start at left-back.

But England picked up where they left off in Belgrade, playing phenomenal football as a midfield three of Elliott Anderson, captain Declan Rice and Morgan Rogers controlled the game right from the off.

Rogers’ clever finish gave England the lead after just three minutes, following good work from Marc Guehi to keep the ball in after the first of many inventive set-piece routines didn’t quite click. And Rogers then set up his Aston Villa teammate with the easiest of finishes eight minutes later, with Watkins controlling the ball on the line and tapping home from inches out.

Bukayo Saka made it 3-0 on 21 minutes with the goal of the night, curling an excellent finish into the far top corner, and England could have had many more in a first-half display where the left-sided partnership between Anthony Gordon and Spence was particularly fruitful.

Watkins suffered an injury scare shortly before the break, landing awkwardly when he failed to finish another golden close-range chance and was taken off as a precaution at half-time. And the second half didn’t quite hit the same heights, although the chances continued to flow, with Gordon and Saka frequently involved.

Wales, who have a huge World Cup qualifier against Belgium on Monday, improved as the game went on, shutting down more space in midfield and creating some chances of their own, with Jordan Pickford twice called into action, making smart stops to deny David Brooks and Chris Mepham.

But the night belonged to England, who have six wins and six clean sheets in seven games under their manager Thomas Tuchel, who appears to be tuning things up nicely ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

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For Wales, this game was largely about preparation for a massive game next week in their World Cup qualifying effort, and they'll look to brush off the disappointment of this result quickly. Craig Bellamy’s side face Belgium in Cardiff on Monday, with the two teams currently level on 10 points and locked in a three-way tussle at the top of Group J with North Macedonia. Those two teams actually play each other tomorrow night too, so by the end of this international window we should have a clearer idea of the qualification equation for Wales.

Tuchel justified leaving out some big names from this squad by calling for as much continuation as possible from the impressive win in Serbia last time out, and he would have been thrilled to see England start in stunning fashion in this game, playing some brilliant football and ripping Wales apart time and again at Wembley. If they can replicate a performance anything close to that against Latvia in their sixth World Cup qualifying game next week, then it should be more than enough to strengthen their already firm grip on top spot in Group K.

The final whistle goes and England can celebrate a convincing win over the neighbours. It’s six wins in seven since Thomas Tuchel took over, and this was an exceptional performance, particularly in a thrilling first half when the home side found the back of the net three times in the opening 21 minutes.

There will be three minutes of time added on at the end of this game, which has become a bit more disjointed since all of the substitutions.

Initially it was Rashford on the left and Gordon up top in this second half, but those two players switched roles midway through the half as England’s manager tries out more of the emergency positions he could potentially use squad players in. The Newcastle man is edging that battle to start on the left at the moment, but still isn’t quite delivering the sort of ruthless performances to nail down his spot. It’s not a night to be harsh though, he’s been heavily involved throughout, causing Wales so many problems.

England’s have two chances in quick succession through Gordon. First he is played in on goal, only to be denied by a brilliant block from Rodon (not the defender’s first impressive block of the night). And then he steps in from the left and bends an effort wide of the far post.

Stones’ night is over and Lewis-Skelly replaces him, with Spence switching to right-back. Useful tests of squad options for Tuchel.

Brooks whips a brilliant ball in and Harris gets on the end of it. He should score, but can’t keep his header down. Wales were blown away in the first half, but they’ve kept at it and manager Bellamy will be impressed by his team’s attitude.

Bowen and Gibbs-White play a wonderful one-two on the edge of the box that very nearly has the West Ham man clean through on goal, but he can’t quite keep control of the return pass and Wales clear.

Wales have had a couple of decent chances this second half, and Pickford is called into action again to keep them at bay, this time to stretch out one of his arms to stop a stooping Mepham header.

Wales break and Spence is adjudged to have committed a foul to halt the attack. He’s booked too, and is not happy about it.

England also make four changes, with a qualifier of their own coming up next week. Bowen, Henderson, Loftus-Cheek and Gibbs-White come on.

Moments after Gordon can’t quite convert Saka’s teasing cross, the Arsenal man opts to shoot and sees his effort deflected away for yet another England corner.

Wales have a big game against Belgium coming up in their qualifying group and ring the changes to rest some of their key players.

This might be a friendly, but England don’t have too many matches before next summer’s World Cup and the manager comes charging to the sideline to gesture for more momentum. Tuchel wants to make the most of this game, which is encouraging to see (for England fans at least).

Spence does superbly again down the left and works the ball in-field after getting away from the attention of the Wales defenders. It comes to Saka in space, who darts on the outside but sees his shot turned behind. Decent defending that, but more promising signs for England.

John Stones landed awkwardly and jarred his knee moments before that shot, and looked to be in serious pain. He waved immediately for treatment, a heart-in-mouth moment for City and England fans, but he’s now back on his feet and looks like he should be okay to continue.

That’s the moment of the game for Wales as a deep cross is met by Brooks on the volley, with only a reaction strop from Pickford denying the visitors.