England’s attack has started to look more dangerous, with Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon showing how effective the team can be when its forwards and midfielders work together. The clearest evidence came in October 2026, when England beat Croatia 7-0 away from home before defeating Czechia 3-0 at Wembley in the UEFA Nations League. The two victories offered more than a collection of goals. They showed a team capable of creating chances through quick passing, direct runs and movement between the lines.
However, two convincing wins do not guarantee that the same attacking output will continue against stronger opposition. England also lost 3-2 to Spain in September, a reminder that attacking quality must be matched by control and defensive balance. The important question is whether Kane and Bellingham can keep producing in a system that also makes room for Saka, Gordon, Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rogers and emerging forward Rio Ngumoha.
Under Thomas Tuchel, England have several ways to threaten opponents. Their success will depend on how consistently they can use those options, particularly when space is limited, and the opposition refuses to allow them to attack at speed.
APWin’s stats and predictions offer another way to assess England’s attacking form, using team performance data, expected goals (xG), recent results and head-to-head records to analyse upcoming fixtures.
England’s Attacking Revival in Numbers
England’s 39 goals in 16 matches in 2026 represented an average of approximately 2.44 goals per game. The national team’s only more productive calendar year, according to the official statistics published after the Czechia match, was 2021, when it scored 52 goals.
The numbers suggest that the improvement is not limited to one match. Still, the average covers different opponents and competitions, so it should not be treated as a guaranteed scoring rate for future fixtures.
The 7-0 victory over Croatia was particularly important. Kane and Saka scored twice each, Bellingham provided 3 assists, and Gordon also found the net. Rogers added a late goal after coming off the bench. This spread of contributions matters because England did not have to depend on one player to create every opportunity.
Harry Kane: The Centre of England’s Attack
Kane remains the most important part of England’s attacking structure. His value comes from more than his ability to finish chances. He can drop into midfield, hold the ball under pressure, link with runners and create space for players arriving from deeper positions.
His performance against Croatia demonstrated this combination. Kane scored twice, including an early finish and continued to connect England’s forward line with the midfield. He also scored twice against Czechia, taking his international tally to 91 goals in 125 appearances. He equalled Peter Shilton’s record of 125 caps in that match.
The numbers showcase his importance, but the tactical details are just as significant. Kane’s movement can pull a centre-back away from position, allowing Bellingham or an advancing winger to attack the space behind. When Kane receives the ball with his back to goal, England can also bring supporting players into the move rather than relying on isolated dribbles.
There is, however, a potential problem. If Kane drops too deep too often, England may lack a central target inside the penalty area. Wingers can deliver dangerous crosses, but those moves become less effective if nobody occupies the space between the centre-backs.
Tuchel therefore needs to balance Kane’s creative responsibilities with his role as the team’s main goalscorer.
Jude Bellingham: The Link Between Midfield and Attack
Bellingham’s performance against Croatia was arguably the strongest evidence of how much England can gain from an attacking midfielder who combines goalscoring with chance creation.
He scored once and provided 3 assists in the 7-0 win. One thing that went unnoticed was his through ball for Kane’s opening goal and his involvement in the move that produced Gordon’s goal.
These contributions illustrate why Bellingham is different from a conventional attacking midfielder. He can receive the ball between the opposition’s midfield and defence, turn towards goal and play a forward pass. He can also arrive in the penalty area himself when Kane draws defenders towards the ball.
His partnership with Kane is particularly useful because their movements can complement each other. When Kane drops deeper, Bellingham can move forward. When Bellingham draws pressure from midfield, Kane can occupy the space left by the opposing defenders.
The challenge is maintaining this balance against organised teams. If Bellingham moves forward without sufficient support behind him, England risk losing control of midfield during transitions. If he stays too deep, the team loses one of its most dangerous runners.
Bellingham does not need to record 3 assists in every match to remain influential. His ability to move the ball forward, create chances and arrive in scoring positions should be the measure of his consistency.
Kane and Bellingham provide the central partnership, but England’s depth on the wings and behind the striker could determine whether the revival lasts. Each of the following players offers a different solution.
Bukayo Saka: The Wide Threat
Saka scored twice against Croatia, continuing a strong performance in England’s attacking revival. His ability to receive the ball on the right, move inside and create shooting opportunities makes him a natural complement to Kane. He can also attack the far post when the striker occupies central defenders.
His importance goes beyond scoring. Saka can help England retain possession in the final third, draw defenders out of position and create space for overlapping full-backs. Keeping him fit and giving him freedom to attack will be important, particularly when opponents focus their defensive attention on Kane.
Anthony Gordon: Direct Running and Movement
Gordon scored against Croatia and has become a useful option for attacking space behind defenders. England’s official statistics after the match showed that he had been directly involved in goals in five consecutive England appearances, with four goals and two assists across that run.
His pace and willingness to run beyond the defence give England a different threat from Saka. Gordon can stretch a back line, attack crosses from the opposite wing and make runs that open passing lanes for Bellingham. His recent scoring form also gives Tuchel a reason to consider him for a starting role rather than using him only as a substitute.
Eberechi Eze: Solution Against Deep Defences
Eze offers close control, dribbling and the ability to create chances in tight spaces. These qualities are particularly valuable when England face teams that defend with several players behind the ball.
Rather than relying entirely on runs behind the defence, Eze can carry possession towards the penalty area and force opponents to make decisions. That could create space for Kane or allow Bellingham to receive the ball closer to goal. His strongest role may depend on the match: he can operate behind the striker or provide an alternative from the left.
How Should Tuchel Use England’s Attacking Options?
The strongest selection will not necessarily involve the six most recognisable attacking names. Tuchel needs to select players whose strengths complement each other.
These are tactical options, not confirmed starting selections. The best combination will depend on the opponent, player availability and match conditions.
A useful example is England’s performance against Croatia. Bellingham’s passing created opportunities for Kane and Gordon, while Saka supplied the cross for Bellingham’s goal. Rogers then scored after coming on as a substitute. England had several ways to attack rather than repeating the same move throughout the match.
That pattern is worth maintaining. England should not become dependent on a single attacking formation or assume that the same starting eleven will work against every opponent.
What Could Stop the Revival?
The first concern is the quality of the opposition. Croatia’s 0-7 defeat exposed problems that England may not encounter against more defensively organised teams. Spain’s 3-2 win over England in September also showed that the Three Lions can concede goals even when they have enough attacking quality to score twice.
Second, England must manage the space between midfield and attack. Kane and Bellingham are most effective when they can combine in central areas, but committing too many players forward can leave the team vulnerable to counter-attacks. The full-backs and holding midfielders will have an important role in maintaining balance.
Third, depth does not automatically mean consistency. Ngumoha is still developing, while Rogers and Eze must continue to demonstrate that they can influence games at international level.
Finally, injuries and fatigue could change the picture quickly. England’s attacking system must be flexible enough to function without one of its main players. If the team depends too heavily on Kane’s finishing or Bellingham’s creativity, its options could become limited when either player is unavailable.
Can Kane and Bellingham sustain England’s attacking revival?
The evidence is positive. England scored 39 goals in 16 matches during 2026 through October 6, Kane reached 91 international goals, and Bellingham produced three assists in the 7-0 win over Croatia. Saka, Gordon and Rogers also made direct contributions to that performance.
The bigger positive is that England now have several attacking profiles to choose from. Saka provides reliability on the right, Gordon stretches defences with his running, Eze can unlock tight spaces, Rogers offers flexibility, and Ngumoha represents a longer-term option. Calvert-Lewin gives Tuchel a different centre-forward profile when the game demands it.
Kane and Bellingham remain central to the plan, but sustaining the revival will require more than their individual form. England must continue creating chances through coordinated movement, maintain control when possession is lost and adapt when opponents take away their preferred routes to goal.
The real test will be whether they can reproduce the same quality when the score is level, space is limited and the opposition is better equipped to exploit their mistakes.