Fans try and guess why Reece James didn’t celebrate after scoring his first goal for England with stunning free-kick against Latvia at Wembley
- England hosted Latvia in World Cup qualifying on Monday evening
- Reece James opened the scoring with a wonderful free-kick in the first half
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Is England’s squad good enough to win the World Cup?
Reece James scored a truly brilliant free-kick against Latvia but you wouldn’t know it from his celebration, or lack thereof.
The deadlock was yet to be broken in the World Cup qualifier at Wembley when the Three Lions won a the set-piece opportunity 25 yards from goal.
Chelsea’s James stepped up and curled the ball over the wall and into the top right corner, leaving the keeper with no chance.
It was a goal that even the world’s greatest players would have been proud to score but James looked unbothered as he was mobbed by his team-mates.
The 25-year-old didn’t even brandish a smile as he walked off with his head down, despite having just netted for the first time for his country
And viewers have taken to social media to suggest ideas as to why he responded in such a manner.
Reece James did not celebrate after scoring a brilliant first goal for England against Latvia
James (3) curled a wonderful free-kick into the top right corner during the first half
James walked away with his head down after watching his strike nestle in the corner
‘What a goal from Reece James,’ wrote one on X. ‘No celebration. Build up of frustration likely given injuries and new inverted roles. Maybe just relief.’
Another posted: ‘lovely for Reece James. Had a rough few year with injuries. Might have been holding his emotions with that celebration.’
One wrote: ‘not sure what the Reece James celebration was about – I don’t remember anyone ever saying he was bad, just that he’s never fit. When he’s fit, he’s amazing.’
Others were less serious in their explanations with one joking that it ‘was because he used to play for Latvia.’
Another quipped that ‘Reece James goal was so good that he stunned even himself and forgot to celebrate’ while a fellow X user said ‘he didn’t celebrate in case he got injured.’
James was selected to start on Monday night after being used off the bench against Albania on Friday.
Morgan Rogers was handed his first start for his country after three previous substitute appearances as Thomas Tuchel made four changes to the side which beat Albania 2-0 in Friday.
Marc Guehi and Jarrod Bowen were the other men to come into the side, with Tuchel looking at other options.
Marcus Rashford retained his place, despite Tuchel saying he was not ‘impactful’ against Albania.
Myles Lewis-Skelly also retained his place at left-back after his record-breaking debut on Friday.
Victory for England in their first-ever meeting with Latvia would put them well on the way to World Cup qualification in Group K.
