It was the night when England confirmed the inevitable. Thomas Tuchel and his players are going to the World Cup finals tournament next summer as the winners of qualifying Group K, their progress serene, their record – with two ties still to tick off next month – without blemish.
The serious business awaits, the only frisson of jeopardy here provided by the England fans, who sought to make a few points to Tuchel during the first half after his criticism of the Wembley crowd in the 3-0 friendly victory against Wales last Thursday. He had complained about them being too quiet.
