Trent Alexander‑Arnold has openly admitted that, despite a lengthy spell out of the national team under manager Thomas Tuchel, he never lost faith that he would once again don the Three Lions jersey. The 27‑year‑old right‑back, who has built a reputation as one of the most creative defenders in modern football, finally got his chance back on the pitch when England faced the Czech Republic in a Euro 2028 qualifier, a match that ended in a 2‑0 victory for England.
For roughly a year Alexander‑Arnold found himself on the periphery of the England set‑up. Tuchel, who took over the national side after the 2022 World Cup, preferred a different profile of full‑backs, and the Liverpool stalwart was omitted from the squad that travelled to Qatar for the 2026 World Cup. His last cap before the hiatus came in June 2025 during a World Cup qualifier against Andorra, after which he returned to club duties with Real Madrid following his high‑profile transfer from Liverpool. The international break against the Czechs offered a dramatic stage for his comeback.
Not only did Alexander‑Arnold start the match – his first start for England in almost two years – but he also made an immediate impact by providing the assist for Anthony Gordon’s opening goal. The assist came from a perfectly weighted cross that found Gordon in space, allowing the forward to finish confidently and put England ahead. Speaking to ITV Sport after the game, Alexander‑Arnold reflected on the significance of the moment: "It was amazing, always an honour and pleasure to represent my country. It's been a long time but I've always believed that I can play for England and I always want to.
The belief is always there, it's about proving it at club level. The manager gave me the chance tonight to play and to try to follow what he asked of me to the best of my ability.
Hopefully he's happy with how I played." He also offered his assessment of England’s overall performance, especially after the Czech side were reduced to ten men. "I think it was good. They go down to 10 and there's more pressure on us to win, but it actually makes it more difficult.
They get very compact and defend with a lot of players, we have a lot of the ball but it's hard to break them down. We got that early on in the second half which is what we needed.
The longer that game goes on as a 0‑0, it gets harder, they gain belief they can hold out and it was good to get that second goal," he explained. Anthony Gordon, who benefited from the assist, was quick to praise Alexander‑Arnold’s vision and technical skill. "I make that run time and time again and only a certain type of player has got the technique, ability and bravery to make the mistake playing that pass.
Credit to Trent, that's why he's so good. I've been dying to play with him for that reason. Trent's had his own journey with England. He would have liked to have played more than he has but he's a great character.
He's a great addition," Gordon said. England head coach Thomas Tuchel also weighed in on the quality of the creation. "Yeah, not a lot could convert it! There was an awful lot for him to do, to guide it into the far post was an excellent finish.
A good pass and a good goal. [Alexander‑Arnold and Lewis Hall] were both good.
The position in the second half suited Trent a little bit more than in the first half, and Lewis was excellent on the other side. We've used all outfield players in the first two games and credit to them," Tuchel remarked, acknowledging both the defender’s contribution and the broader squad rotation strategy. The match itself highlighted several tactical nuances.
England’s decision to press high and dominate possession forced the Czech side into a deep defensive block, especially after the red card. Alexander‑Arnold’s overlapping runs and willingness to cut inside created space for midfielders to exploit, while his precise crossing added a new dimension to England’s attacking arsenal. The second goal, scored later in the second half, came from a well‑orchestrated set‑piece that underlined England’s growing cohesion.
Beyond the immediate result, Alexander‑Arnold’s return signals a potential shift in Tuchel’s selection policy. The manager, known for his meticulous approach, has experimented with a variety of players in the full‑back positions, but the positive impact of Alexander‑Arnold’s creativity and defensive reliability may persuade him to reintegrate the Liverpool‑born star into future line‑ups, especially as England prepares for the upcoming Euro 2028 qualifiers. Looking ahead, England’s schedule remains packed. The next fixtures include an away clash against Croatia on Saturday, October 3, with a 5 pm kick‑off, followed by a home game against the Czech Republic on Tuesday, October 6, at 7.45 pm.
These matches will provide further opportunities for Alexander‑Arnold to cement his place and for Tuchel to fine‑tune his tactical setup. Off the pitch, the football community has also taken note of Alexander‑Arnold’s resilience.
After being sidelined from the national team, he continued to excel at club level, earning a move to Real Madrid where he has contributed to both defensive stability and attacking buildup. His ability to adapt to a new league, maintain high performance standards, and still keep his international ambitions alive demonstrates a professional maturity that resonates with fans and pundits alike.
In summary, Trent Alexander‑Arnold’s statement that he "always believed" he could return to the England side is now backed by tangible evidence on the field. His assist against the Czech Republic, coupled with his confident post‑match comments, underline a renewed sense of purpose. As England moves forward in the qualification campaign, all eyes will be on whether this resurgence translates into a permanent recall and how his presence might influence the team’s style of play in the crucial months ahead.