(Credit: Getty Images / ITV Football on X)

Ben Palmer

Mon 24 March 2025 21:35, UK Updated Tue 12 August 2025 10:12, UK

Chelsea captain Reece James scored a stunning freekick for England but his celebration left Lee Dixon puzzled as to whether there was a deeper meaning.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold out injured, having limped off against PSG in their Champions League loss, Thomas Tuchel chose James as his starting right-back against Latvia on Monday night (24 March).

The Chelsea captain has been enjoying an extended run in the Blues’ side in recent weeks, having seemingly shaken off the injuries that have plagued him over the past few seasons.

Thanks to his run in Enzo Maresca’s side of late and the great performances that have accompanied them, Tuchel named James as the starter against Latvia ahead of Tino Livramento.

That decision paid dividends, as James whipped a freekick into the back of Krisjanis Zviedris’ net in the 38th minute, but his celebration was a surprising one.

Reece James scores first ever England goal

Myles Lewis-Skelly put in a fabulous performance in England‘s previous game, a 2-0 win over Albania on Friday (21 March) and the young left-back was brought down outside the box in the 38th minute.

Although Arsenal target Harry Kane seemed very interested in adding to his 70 England goals, he was waved away by the Blues’ captain.

James then steadied himself, before curling a David Beckham-esque freekick into the top corner, leaving the lengthy Latvian keeper, Zviedris, without a chance.

As the his teammates flooded him in celebration, the 25-year-old kept a steely look on his face, leaving former England right-back, Dixon, more than a little perplexed, saying on ITVX (8.24pm): “I’m not too sure about his celebration, if I’d scored a goal like that I’d still be running round Wembley – absolutely top drawer…it’s a dreamboat goal.”

After Sam Matterface used the moment to wax lyrical about the goal, Dixon then added: “I don’t know whether there’s anything in that celebration, or lack of, but he’ll be enjoying it on the inside.”

Reece James re-establishes himself as one of the world’s best

Football Insider Verdict

Some goals you can put down to oppositions quality, or lack thereof, but others are simply unstoppable, not matter the circumstance.

James’ freekick against 140th ranked Latvia fall into the latter of those categories, as the whip and the curl on the strike would have left even the finest of shot-stoppers without a chance.

The goal feels like the perfect culmination to the Chelsea captain’s recent performances for his club side.

Despite the Blues’ flagging form, James has remained one of the most reliable players in the Premier League, even though he has regularly been used by Maresca in an unfamiliar central-midfield role.

The 25-year-old has endured a torrid spell of fitness issues that have hampered his ability to feature for club and country, with James being left at home when England featured in Euro 2024.

However, if he can stay fit, on current form, the Chelsea captain is a lock-in to feature in the 2026 World Cup and is undoubtedly a competitor to Alexander-Arnold for the starting position.