The last time the United States hosted a World Cup, England was left on the outside looking in. It was a time of frustration, marked by the infamous “Do I Not Like That” era. Fans were engulfed in a whirlwind of futile anger and profound disappointment as the national team missed out on the event.

Fast forward 31 years, and England is no longer missing out. At the Daugava Stadium, nestled in the serene suburbs of Latvia’s capital, Thomas Tuchel and his squad clinched their spot for next summer’s World Cup festivities in North America, achieving qualification with two matches to spare.

While Latvia, having recently drawn with Andorra, offered little challenge, England displayed the prowess of a team ready for their 17th World Cup appearance. The squad is brimming with talent, and Tuchel’s leadership is instilling rising confidence. The team’s current momentum is a formidable asset.

Leading the charge is captain Harry Kane, who netted two more goals, bringing his international total to an impressive 76 in 110 games. Tuchel can only hope Kane maintains this stellar form and fitness in the eight months leading up to the tournament, which kicks off on June 11 with games in Mexico City and Guadalajara.

England sealed qualification to the World  Cup next summer with a huge 5-0 win over Latvia

Harry Kane scored twice on the night as England ran the hosts ragged at Daugava Stadium

Newcastle star Anthony Gordon opened the scoring with an excellent finish off the left flank

Amidst the anticipation of glitz, glamour, and vibrant halftime shows, it seemed almost paradoxical that England secured their ticket to the US, Mexico, and Canada World Cup with a commanding 5-0 win at a modest stadium. The venue, flanked on three sides by open stands and 23 stately pine trees, set a quaint scene for such a significant achievement.

In a crowd of 10,404, around 2,000 England fans celebrated. Perhaps some have forgotten the sting of missing out on major tournaments, but the allure of nights like these remains, as England confirms its place in the “Greatest Show on Earth” next summer.

They will be there with Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Egypt, Cape Verde, the smallest country ever to qualify, and other teams who have already qualified, in the first 48-team World Cup finals, trying to bring to an end what will be, by then, 60 years of hurt.

That they would seal their place last night was not in doubt, almost from kick-off. England thought they had scored inside 50 seconds when Elliot Anderson drifted a ball over the top to Bukayo Saka, who crossed for Harry Kane to prod home but the linesman raised his flag to indicate Kane had strayed offside.

Kane had a legitimate chance to score five minutes later after Anthony Gordon found him six yards out but Kane, uncharacteristically, volleyed his shot wide. The England captain looked disgusted with himself. He kicked the base of the post in frustration.

England dominated play. Jordan Pickford barely touched the ball, let alone had a shot to save. It felt like a game of attack versus defence but England could not break through and Tuchel crouched on his haunches on the touchline, feeling the frustration rise.

But then John Stones drove a fine pass over the top of the Latvia defence into the path of Gordon, who had been England’s best forward. Gordon cut inside a defender on to his right foot and curled a fierce shot beyond the dive of Krisjanis Zviedris to put England ahead.

The game was so one-sided that the England fans massed in a stand behind one of the goals began to make fun of themselves after the criticism Tuchel had aimed at the Wembley crowd after England’s victory over Wales last Thursday. ‘Tuchel’s right, the fans are sh***,’ they sang, as they were drenched by the pouring rain.

Kane curled home England’s second in the 44th minute with a top finish from outside the box

He put his team three ahead moments later, converting from the spot on the stroke of half time

Thomas Tuchel will be pleased by England’s dominance and clinical touch in front of goal

From amidst those diversions, Kane scored a goal out of nowhere, in the way he so often does. Latvia’s attempt to play out from the back two minutes before half-time broke down, Kane took the ball on the edge of the area and rifled a brilliant low shot past Zviedris to extend England’s lead.

It was his 75th England goal on his 110th appearance for his country. Before half-time, he had made it 76. VAR noticed that the Bayern Munich forward had had his shirt pulled at a corner and referee Tasos Sidiropoulos awarded a penalty. Kane committed the goalkeeper with a stutter in his run-up and dispatched the kick emphatically.

England claimed a fourth just before the hour when Zviedris flapped at a cross from Djed Spence and the ball hit Maksims Tonisevs and looped apologetically into the net. Substitute Eberechi Eze hammered home the fifth five minutes from the end.

By then, thoughts had long turned to booking flights and securing tickets for what may be a six-week journey around North America in June and July. 

If this was the completion of the quest for qualification, the debate about who makes the squad and the starting eleven is only just beginning.

Much of it will centre on Jude Bellingham, who was left out of this squad by Tuchel. Bellingham has become a polarising figure. 

Some argue his hubristic attitude means England cannot win the World Cup with him, others that his talent means Tuchel cannot win it without him.

The Bellingham situation even prompted an observation from Sir Geoff Hurst, the last living member of the England team that won the World Cup in 1966, which was, of course, the one and only time this country has ever triumphed at a major tournament.

Defender Djed Spence (right) forced a Latvian own goal in the second half with a wicked cross

Substitute Eberechi Eze (centre) made it five with a clinical finish inside the penalty box late on

Sir Geoff criticised Bellingham’s father, Mark, for confronting a Borussia Dortmund member of staff over the treatment of his younger son, Jobe, earlier this season and his intervention was pertinent beyond his status as the elder statesman of our game.

When that World Cup began 59 years ago, Jimmy Greaves, the greatest goalscorer of his generation, was considered undroppable, just as many still insist Bellingham is undroppable. But when Greaves was forced to miss a game through injury, Hurst replaced him and kept Greaves out of the side. The rest is history.