Sunday’s briefing: Thomas Tuchel says England ready to ‘prove a point’ in Serbia

England continued their successful if uninspiring World Cup qualifying campaign with victory over minnows Andorra.

Domestically, the Barclays Women’s Super League is up and running.

Thomas Tuchel wants England to prove a point against Serbia

Thomas Tuchel believes England are ready to “prove a point” in Serbia having seen more positives than negatives in Saturday’s forgettable World Cup qualification victory against Andorra.

The Euro 2024 runners-up continued their unblemished start to Group K at Villa Park by winning a fourth match without conceding.

Christian Garcia’s own goal gave dominant, if shot shy, England a deserved half-time lead, with Declan Rice heading home Reece James’ outstanding cross to seal a 2-0 victory against the well-drilled microstate.

“We will try to prove a point – to win and put out the next performance, and to be tough in the circumstances,” England boss Tuchel said.

“We expect a very emotional stadium, we expect an emotional crowd. We expect maybe, yeah, to adapt to the circumstances. We don’t know what the pitch looks like. Make no excuses.

“Then we come up against a very physical team. They will attack us in a man-man situation.”

Heimir Hallgrimsson praises Republic character after comeback

Heimir Hallgrimsson had mixed emotions after watching the Republic of Ireland scrap their way to a 2-2 World Cup qualifier draw with 10-man Hungary.

Ireland got off to a dreadful start and trailed 2-0 at the Aviva Stadium after just 15 minutes, but goals from Evan Ferguson and substitute Adam Idah either side of Roland Sallai’s dismissal ultimately handed them a first Group F point from their opening fixture.

Hallgrimsson said: “I’m unhappy with the beginning and it was psychologically difficult to be 2-0 down in 15 minutes but I felt we grew in the game so at half-time, we said, ‘We have nothing to lose, let’s go at them’.

“It’s not easy to come back from 2-0 down at this level and especially against a team like Hungary that is ranked 30 places above us. I give all the credit to the guys for the second half, the character they showed, the bravery and all the effort they put in.”

Ballon d’Or no consolation for Rodri’s injury nightmare

Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri says his Ballon d’Or award was a “breath of fresh air” in a difficult year but could not compensate for missing so much football through injury.

The 29-year-old was out for most of last season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and, although he picked up the most coveted individual award in world football a month after being sidelined, it could not fully offset his disappointment.

“The injury is much more significant than the Ballon d’Or. It was a breath of fresh air at a time when I was having a really hard time,” he told a press conference ahead of Spain’s World Cup qualifier in Turkey.

“I’m happy for the recognition, but it’s of no use to me.”

Olivia Smith off the mark for Arsenal

Olivia Smith marked her Arsenal debut with a stunning goal as the European champions came from behind to start their Women’s Super League campaign with a 4-1 win over London City Lionesses.

Smith became the first £1million female player by joining Arsenal from Liverpool in July and she showed why with a fabulous long-distance strike after Kosovare Asllani’s penalty had put London City ahead.

Fellow summer signing Chloe Kelly struck at the end of the first half before substitutes Stina Blackstenius and Frida Maanum scored late on to give Arsenal derby joy, albeit with the scoreline flattering them slightly.

What’s on today?

There is a midday Merseyside derby at Anfield as Liverpool host Everton on the opening weekend of the Barclays Women’s Super League. Northern Ireland face the daunting task of taking on Germany in Cologne in a World Cup qualifier.