James featured as a late substitute during Friday night's 2-0 win over Albania but tonight was the Chelsea captain's first start since September 2022, prior to the World Cup in Qatar, due to injury.

The 25-year-old started the game at right back and played the full 90 minutes, moving to inverted left-back for the final 11 minutes following Kyle Walker's introduction for Myles Lewis-Skelley.

James impressed both in defence and attack throughout, and his most telling contribution came on 38 minutes with a moment of pure brilliance.

The Chelsea Academy graduate struck a free-kick which was as close to perfection as you are likely to see. The 25-yarder started both above and outside the goal frame before dipping and curling just inside the top corner.

Speaking after the match, ITV pundit and former England striker Ian Wright said: 'That is a world-class strike. I don't know what goalkeeper would get to that...That is a fantastic strike.'

'You could watch that all night,' added his co-pundit Roy Keane, who had earlier compared the strike to that of his former team-mate David Beckham.

England captain Harry Kane, who added the game's second goal on 68 minutes with a tap-in at the far post, described James' free-kick as a strike with 'incredible precision and power'.

The Three Lions are now under the guidance of former Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel and he said: 'I know Reecey and I know the foot and the quality that he has. It is amazing.'

The scoring was concluded by substitute Eberechi Eze, who like James and Skelley on Friday, scored his first senior England goal tonight when he dribbled into the box and cut side to score.

Levi Colwill was an unused substitute whilst Cole Palmer was not included in the squad following his recent injury.

The Three Lions are top of their World Cup qualifying group after two games, three points ahead of Albania who they faced on Friday.

Only the top country in the five-team groups are guaranteed automatic qualification for the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States in 2026, with the second-placed side going into the play-offs.