Harry Kane celebrated reaching 125 caps for England, equalling Peter Shilton’s all-time record, by scoring two goals as Thomas Tuchel’s side secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over the Czech Republic on Tuesday night.
The win marks England’s third consecutive Nations League triumph. The match took place at Wembley Stadium, where the 33-year-old captain netted his 90th and 91st international goals, continuing his status as the team’s record scorer.
England had previously opened their campaign with a narrow 3-2 loss to world champions Spain, followed by a 2-0 win in Prague and a dominant 7-0 victory against Croatia. Tuchel opted to rest in-form wingers Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka, making four changes to the starting lineup that crushed Croatia.
Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to the right-back position for his first appearance at Wembley in two years. The Real Madrid player made an immediate impact with a well-struck free-kick that forced a save from Czech goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek after Morgan Rogers was fouled outside the box.
Rogers was influential throughout the contest as England probed for an opener, but clear chances were scarce until the 27th minute when Czech defender Vladimir Coufal inadvertently steered a cross from Kane into his own net.
Elliot Anderson nearly doubled the lead shortly thereafter but sent his shot over the bar. Just before halftime, Kane restored England’s two-goal cushion, finishing off a sweeping team move initiated by Anderson and Rogers.
The home side doubled their lead in the 57th minute as Kane rose to head home from a Lewis Hall corner. Tuchel kept Kane on the pitch in hopes of a hat-trick, but the forward was eventually substituted with ten minutes remaining, receiving a standing ovation as he was replaced by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The result keeps England firmly in contention for a top-two finish in Group A3, which would secure a quarter-final spot in March. They currently sit on nine points from four games, three points behind group leaders Spain, who defeated Croatia 2-1 earlier on Tuesday.
Wait, is Kane actually breaking the all-time scoring record soon? The numbers are insane.
Interesting call resting Saka and Gordon. Tuchel really trusts his system, even without the fancy wingers.
I didn’t know he had 91 goals. He’s on pace to shatter everything eventually. What a player.
125 caps and a brace – pure class. Shilton’s record is legendary, but Kane is rewriting the history books.
Finally another goal against Spain! That free-kick from Trent was brilliant. England are clicking now.