Tuesday’s briefing: Jordan Pickford targets extending record to book spot

England will book their place at next year’s World Cup finals with victory over Latvia in Riga and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is relishing the chance to keep another clean sheet.

Harry Kane will make a timely return in place of the injured Ollie Watkins but boss Thomas Tuchel is less convinced about striker Marcus Rashford, whom he has challenged to find more consistency.

Wales and Northern Ireland face uphill battles to qualify after experiencing setbacks on Monday, while someone who has done it all at the top level, England defender Millie Bright, has announced her retirement from the international game.

Pickford set to save the day for England

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is not ready for his record-breaking run of clean sheets to end as he chases World Cup qualification.

Pickford broke Gordon Banks’ long-standing record for the most successive England games without conceding a goal after Thursday’s 3-0 victory over Wales made it eight.

If that becomes nine on Tuesday against Latvia and England can win in Riga then their place at next summer’s World Cup in North America will be assured.

The 31-year-old, who is understood to have agreed a new contract at Everton, said: “It is great to have that milestone, hopefully I can break it again tomorrow and get nine.”

Harry Kane is set to return from an ankle injury as England look for a victory in Riga that would seal their place in next year’s finals.

Tuchel challenges Rashford to prove consistency

England boss Thomas Tuchel says Marcus Rashford is not living up to his potential and warned him not to waste his career.

Rashford is on loan at Barcelona, where he has scored three goals and produced five assists in 10 games, after several years of indifferent performances at Manchester United.

But Tuchel, who called Rashford up out of the blue for his first squad in March, is yet to be fully convinced by the forward and wants more from him.

“I think the limit for him is very, very high. Maybe higher than for others. He has the potential but potential is a dangerous word with high-level sports,” said Tuchel.

“It’s not a question of talent, it’s a question of whether he can prove the point at club and international level.”

Wales undone by De Bruyne

Wales’ hopes of automatic World Cup qualification were dealt a blow as Kevin De Bruyne converted two penalties in Belgium’s 4-2 win in Cardiff.

Joe Rodon gave Wales the perfect start after seven minutes but Belgium recovered to largely control the game, although substitute Nathan Broadhead gave his side a flicker of hope late on.

Wales now trail Belgium by four points but their hopes of at least reaching the play-offs were boosted when rivals North Macedonia were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Kazakhstan.

O’Neill disappointed as Northern Ireland fall short

Northern Ireland missed the chance to seize control of Group A after Nick Woltemade’s first international goal gave Germany a 1-0 win in Belfast.

The result, coupled with Slovakia’s routine 2-0 win over Luxembourg, leaves Germany and the Slovakians neck and neck at the top of the group with Michael O’Neill’s men three points adrift.

Despite marking O’Neill’s 100th game in charge with an impressive performance, his side fell short and O’Neill could not disguise his downbeat mood afterwards.

“It was a sore loss,” said O’Neill. “I thought in the first half, we lacked a little bit of belief with the ball. To be fair, Germany forced their physicality on top of us and it was difficult for us to get any kind of rhythm.”

Millie Bright retires from international football

England defender Millie Bright has announced her retirement from international football.

The 32-year-old won 88 caps during her England career and won the European Championship on home soil in 2022 before captaining the side to the World Cup final the following year.

Bright announced her retirement on her podcast “Daly Brightness”, which she co-hosts with former England team-mate Rachel Daly.

Bright, who withdrew from selection prior to this year’s successful defence of the European title, said: “It sounds cliche but it really is a feeling and when you’re at peace with that decision… having the summer to reflect, get my head straight, fix my knee, really put things into perspective.”

What’s on today

England will look to seal their passage to next summer’s World Cup finals with victory over Latvia in Riga, while the Republic of Ireland need to beat Armenia to stand any realistic chance of staying in the running.

Heavyweights Spain will stretch their unbeaten streak to a record-equalling 29 competitive games if they avoid defeat against struggling Bulgaria, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal can move closer to qualification with a win over Hungary.