England after the October window: what Tuchel learned from four Nations League games

England ended the first four-game international window of the new calendar with three wins, one defeat, 14 goals scored and three clean sheets. After losing 3-2 at home to Spain, Thomas Tuchel's side won 2-0 in Prague, 7-0 against Croatia in Rijeka and 3-0 against Czechia at Wembley on Tuesday. The window was Tuchel's first since the World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina, and it leaves England second in Group A3 and close to a quarter-final place next March.

Results of England's October window

ESPN described the win in Rijeka as the heaviest defeat in Croatia's history.

Is Harry Kane still irreplaceable?

Kane started all four games and now has 91 England goals, 38 more than Wayne Rooney in second place, on the night he matched Peter Shilton's record of 125 caps. BBC Sport described him as the centrepiece of an attacking group completed by Gordon, now at Barcelona, Saka on the right and Jude Bellingham behind them.

The concern is the cover. ESPN noted that Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the other centre-forward in the squad, played 16 minutes across the four games, and that Bellingham finished two matches in Kane's position.

Which players made a case for themselves?

Trent Alexander-Arnold. Left out of the World Cup squad, he made his first start under Tuchel in Prague and supplied the cross for Gordon's opening goal. BBC Sport argued his displays should end any debate over his place.

Lewis Hall. The Newcastle left-back played three games after Nico O'Reilly went back to Manchester City injured, and set up Kane's second goal at Wembley. He will compete with O'Reilly for the position.

Alex Scott. The Bournemouth midfielder impressed on his full debut in Croatia but then left the camp with a thigh injury. BBC Sport reported that Bournemouth fear he could be out for two months, and the club is unhappy with how England handled it. Tuchel said England took no risks with him.

Tuchel told reporters after the Czechia game that competition for places is perhaps the strongest it has been in his time in charge.

How have England changed tactically?

BBC Sport's analysis found that Tuchel has refined his system rather than replaced it. In possession England have used a 3-1-3-3 shape, with an extra player in the central build-up: two centre-backs and two central midfielders, with Elliot Anderson often dropping into a back three. On the left, Hall's wide position has let Gordon play closer to Kane and attack the space the captain leaves when he drops deep.

At the back, England used four different defensive combinations in four games and still kept three clean sheets, with James Trafford starting the first two matches and Jordan Pickford the last two. Tuchel was also without several defenders, including Reece James, John Stones and Tino Livramento.

What comes next for England?

ESPN said the win over Czechia all but seals a place in the quarter-finals. England host Croatia at Wembley on 12 November and visit Spain in Madrid on 15 November. ESPN pointed out that England have won six of their last 16 matches against top-10 sides, which makes the trip to the world champions the clearest test of how far this group has moved on.