Trent Alexander-Arnold Just Ended A Two-Year England Exile With ONE Ridiculous Pass — Is Tuchel Finally Convinced?

Stop scrolling, because the England redemption arc you didn't know you needed just happened in Prague. Trent Alexander-Arnold finally got a start for the Three Lions, and he answered with one absolutely filthy assist.

Wait, Where Has Trent Been?

Quick recap: Trent hadn't started for England in over two years. According to BBC Sport, his last start was the Nations League win in Finland in October 2024, and he was left out of England's World Cup squad this summer.

Sky Sports notes his last appearance of any kind was in June 2025, against Andorra.

So when Thomas Tuchel recalled him for this Nations League camp, it was a genuine surprise. He became the ninth right-back Tuchel has used in 24 games, per the BBC. Ninth. Right-back is basically the Bermuda Triangle of this England era.

The Moment

England were struggling against a Czech side reduced to ten men after Pavel Sulc was sent off following a VAR review, as Sky Sports' match report explains.

Then, two minutes into the second half, Trent stepped up. After a 70-yard run forward, he won the ball back and floated a right-footed cross over three Czech defenders for Anthony Gordon to stoop and head home.

Gordon later said only certain players have "the technique, ability and bravery" to try that pass, adding that he'd been "dying to play with" Trent. Harry Kane then sealed the 2-0 win with his 87th England goal.

What Tuchel Said

The boss was happy. Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live that Trent did "very well" and had "an excellent assist", praising his "top attitude."

He also said the deeper role in the second half suited Trent more than the higher one in the first. Tuchel didn't say Trent has won the shirt, though, and the defending question still hangs over him. BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty points out that it wasn't really tested in Prague.

Make Or Break?

McNulty argues this camp "must be close to make or break time", with Trent turning 28 on 7 October. Next up is Croatia on Saturday, and whether Tuchel sticks with him will tell us a lot.

Trent, for his part, kept it classy: "I've always believed that I can play for England and I always want to."

The Tea ☕

• Trent made his first England start in over two years and assisted Gordon's opener in a 2-0 win over ten-man Czech Republic.
• Tuchel praised the assist but hasn't committed to more, and the defensive doubts remain.
• The Croatia game on Saturday could decide whether this is a comeback or a one-night cameo.

So, what do you think? Should Tuchel start Trent against Croatia, or is one world-class pass not enough to fix the right-back problem? Sound off below.

Sources: BBC Sport | Sky Sports (Alexander-Arnold interview) | Sky Sports (match report)