After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!

Riding high on their 6-1 away victory against the Czech Republic, England returned to the familiar Wembley Stadium to face the relatively weaker Bulgarian team.

Unlike the tense and exciting night in Prague, the overall mood of London fans was relaxed.

This was a victory that was expected.

For Southgate, this is an excellent opportunity to practice tactics and train new players.

Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler's tone was noticeably more relaxed when introducing the lineup.

"Welcome back to Wembley! There have been some changes to the England squad, and as we expected, after the big win in the last game that secured the victory, manager Southgate is starting to think about the future of the team."

Gary Neville analyzed the starting lineup.

"The biggest change is that Yan Yuan has returned to the right winger position, which he is most familiar with."

The responsibility of the attacking midfielder was handed over to the young player Mason Mount, who was making his first start for the national team!

This is a very clear signal: Southgate is assessing Mount and hopes he can learn from Yan Yuan.

In the last match, Southgate's decision to have Yan Yuan play as an attacking midfielder was precisely to set an example for the young Mount.

With a role model, Mount had a direction to follow.

"That's right," Martin Tyler chimed in. "Kane is still out, with Sancho still up front and Rashford on the left. The two holding midfielders are still Henderson and Rice. Let's see how this dynamic attacking trio performs."

As expected, the match was one-sided from the very beginning.

England, with its superior strength, kept Bulgaria firmly in its own half.

Yan Yuan, back on the right wing, was like a fish returning to the sea; his breakthroughs and cuts inside made life miserable for the Bulgarian left-back.

The first goal of the match came quickly.

In the 11th minute, it was a combination play from the right flank.

After Rice intercepted the ball in the backfield, he did not choose to simply pass it to the wing. Instead, he looked up and observed the situation before sending out a precise long pass to Yan Yuan, who was making a high-speed run down the right flank.

The pass, which spanned half the field, was perfectly timed and placed, showcasing Rice's excellent vision and footwork, as well as the growing rapport between him and Yan Yuan.

"Rice's long pass! Go straight for Yan Yuan!" Martin Tyler shouted.

Yan Yuan easily controlled the ball, used a change of pace to create angle, and then curled a left-footed shot into the far corner from the right side of the penalty area!

The ball arced through the air and swished into the net! 1-0!

"Beautiful teamwork! Rice's long pass, Yan Yuan's control and shot—all executed flawlessly! England has gotten off to a perfect start!"

This goal opened the door to victory.

England's attack surged toward Bulgaria's goal like a tidal wave.

Mount, playing as an attacking midfielder, was very active, covering a wide range of distances, daring to take the ball and make moves, showing good potential.

However, compared to Yan Yuan in the previous match, who played with ease and seemed to be able to predict the future, this performance was not as good.

Mount still has a clear gap in terms of the timing of his passes, the rationality of his choices, and his control of the game's tempo.

His through balls were well-intentioned, but lacked power or angle; sometimes, when the opportunity was fleeting, he would take an extra step and miss the best passing point.

However, the connection between Yan Yuan and Rice became England's most lethal weapon in this match.

In the 33rd minute, Rice intercepted the ball again in midfield. He immediately passed the ball to Yan Yuan and then made a high-speed forward run.

Yan Yuan understood perfectly and, without seeking credit, flicked the ball with his heel at just the right moment, passing it perfectly to the advancing Rice, completing a brilliant "one-two" pass.

Rice broke into the penalty area and crossed the ball, but Sancho in the middle shot high under pressure.

"Look at this teamwork! Rice and Yan Yuan! Perfect chemistry!" Gary Neville exclaimed. "They seem to have a telepathic connection; their teamwork in the national team is just as seamless as their club teamwork."

In the 40th minute, Mount combined with Rashford on the left wing and crossed the ball. The Bulgarian defender's clearance was poor, and the ball fell to the edge of the penalty area.

Yan Yuan appeared there like a ghost, and before the ball could hit the ground, he volleyed it into the air!

The ball flew like a cannonball into the net! 2-0! A stunning brace!

"Yan Yuan! Another world-class goal! He's in red-hot form! His scoring ability is on full display as a right winger!"

At halftime, England were already leading 2-0, and the outcome of the match was no longer in doubt.

In the second half, England continued to control the game.

In the 55th minute, Yan Yuan broke through on the right wing and delivered a low cross, assisting Sancho to tap the ball into the empty net, making it 3-0.

Gareth Southgate then made a large number of substitutions, bringing on young players like Abraham, Saka, and Barkley to continue developing their skills. The team's attack didn't stop, with Saka, Abraham, and Barkley adding four more goals, ultimately sealing a 7-0 victory! A resounding win without much effort.

The Man of the Match award was once again given to Yan Yuan, who scored twice and provided an assist, without any suspense.

But after the game, the focus in the locker room was partly on young player Mount, who was making his first start.

After the match.

Southgate specifically called Mount aside to give him instructions from the sidelines.

Yan Yuan was on his way to a press conference when he saw this scene, so he slowed down and walked over.

He's the vice-captain today.

Caring about the growth of young players is also our duty.

"Mason, you played well, very aggressively." Southgate first acknowledged Mount's attitude, then changed the subject...

"But there are a few things we need to discuss. You and Yan both played as attacking midfielders today, what do you feel is the biggest difference?"

Mount scratched his head and said honestly.

"Boss, I feel... Yan is 'faster' when handling the ball. Not in terms of movement, but in terms of decision-making. He always seems to know where his teammates are and how the opponents will move in advance. Sometimes I hesitate, wanting to take one more step, and then the opportunity is gone."

Southgate nodded.

"You've hit the nail on the head. This is the difference in experience and depth of understanding of the game. Yan's off-the-ball movement and pre-receive observation are ahead of yours."

So before he gets the ball, he's already thought about his next move, or even the next two moves, while you sometimes only start observing and thinking after you've already got the ball.

At this moment, Yan Yuan walked over and spoke up.

"The coach is right, Mason, you can try doing one more thing when you're off the ball," Yan Yuan gestured with his hand.

"Don't just stand there waiting for the ball, or simply run into open spaces. You need to constantly use your peripheral vision to observe the positions of the defenders around you, while anticipating the possible passing routes of your teammates with the ball. This way, when you actually receive the ball, you'll already have a real-time 'map of the court' in your mind, and you'll be able to make decisions faster."

Yan Yuan shared his insights on playing midfield without holding back.

Mount's eyes lit up, as if he'd been enlightened: "Like playing chess, calculating a few moves ahead?"

"That's right!" Yan Yuan patted him on the shoulder approvingly. "And then there's the choice of passing. Your through balls today were a few good ideas, but you might have been too focused on 'penetration'."

Sometimes, a seemingly safe lateral or back pass is actually the best option at the moment, allowing you to control the tempo and wait for a better opportunity. Risky passes are certainly necessary, but only in areas and at times with a high success rate.

Southgate added.

"Yan is absolutely right. Controlling the game is not just about creating opportunities, but also about managing risks and controlling the pace."

You played with a lot of energy at Chelsea, but at the national team level, you need to be more composed and have a better overall perspective. Today was a valuable experience; seeing the gaps helps us understand where to go from here.

Mount listened attentively, his eyes filled with gratitude and contemplation. "I understand, boss, and Yan too, thank you for your guidance. Especially you, Yan, thank you for telling me all this."

Mount knew all too well how rare it was for Yan Yuan, as a direct competitor, to share his experience so candidly.

Yan Yuan is not actually afraid to share.

Because when he was at the club, he mainly attacked from the wing.

He was just sharing his experience.

Yan Yuan smiled and said.

"Don't mention it, Mason. You're excellent, you just need time and games to hone your skills. Remember, in midfield, your brain needs to be faster than your legs."

This brief exchange was extremely fruitful for Mount.

He not only understood the gap between himself and top midfielders, but also gained valuable and specific suggestions for improvement.

This gave him a sense of fulfillment far more than a resounding victory. Watching Yan Yuan and Southgate's departing figures, he clenched his fists tightly; he saw the direction forward.

This night at Wembley not only witnessed a resounding 7-0 victory, but also a significant step in the growth of a young player under the guidance of superstars and renowned coaches.

Yan Yuan, while showcasing his superstar charisma, also perfectly embodied the responsibilities of a team leader and mentor.

Because of this legacy, the Three Lions' future will only be brighter.