Thomas Tuchel says it will be an important personal achievement if England qualify for the World Cup with a win in Latvia on Tuesday - with two matches to spare.

In truth, it will come as nothing more than a reassurance to him and his FA bosses, who took a risk employing a German coach with no international management experience.

The reality is that Tuchel's reign will be judged on a handful of knockout matches next June and July, because just as England are expected to qualify for the tournament, they will equally be expected to make it through whatever group games they face in a newly-expanded World Cup in the US.

The knockout games are where it is at. Full stop.

Tuchel knows only acceptable outcome is winning

Tuchel has won the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup with Ch

See Full Page