Harry Kane celebrated his 100th international cap in style, netting two goals as England secured a 2-0 victory over Finland in the Nations League. The win was not only a personal milestone for Kane but also a moment of remembrance at Wembley, where the late Sven-Goran Eriksson was honored before kickoff.
The England captain and all-time leading goalscorer opened the scoring with an impressive strike just before the hour mark, sending a thunderbolt shot in off the underside of the bar. Kane then added a classy second goal around 15 minutes later, bringing his international tally to 68 and underlining his vital role in the squad despite recent criticisms following Euro 2024.
“It was the perfect night,” Kane remarked after the game. Until that breakthrough, Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky had kept Kane at bay with several fine saves, including a disallowed header that was ruled offside earlier in the match. On this historic night, Kane was presented with a special golden cap to commemorate his landmark appearance, joining an elite group of only ten players to reach 100 caps for the England men’s team.
These goals were crucial for interim manager Lee Carsley, who has now led England to two wins from two matches, placing them second in Nations League Group B2, behind Greece on goal difference. England’s performance showed promise, with Angel Gomes impressing on his first senior start, although Finland’s resolute defense initially made it a challenging encounter.
In their last meeting, Eriksson was at the helm, and England secured a narrow 2-1 victory during that World Cup qualifier in 2001, with another captain, David Beckham, scoring a memorable goal. This match, however, saw England struggle against a persistent Finnish side that had faltered previously in their 3-0 loss to Greece.
As the first half progressed, England appeared open at times. Aberdeenshire’s Topi Keskinen exposed gaps with swift counter-attacks but could not convert opportunities, shooting off target. Additionally, Rico Lewis made a crucial block against former Norwich City star Teemu Pukki’s effort inside the box, resulting from a clever throw-in routine by the visitors.
However, England regained composure in the second half. After Kane’s free-kick and overhead effort were thwarted by Hradecky, the England captain’s opener alleviated any lingering nerves of an upset. Substitute Noni Madueke assisted Kane’s second goal, while Eberechi Eze and Rico Lewis also displayed notable performances, with Trent Alexander-Arnold again shining at right-back.
Kane’s brace and the tribute to Eriksson will serve as lasting memories from what was a successful outing for Carsley, whose bid for the permanent managerial role is looking promising.
Kane: A Night to Remember
Reflecting on his historic night, Kane stated, “On my 100th cap, I wanted to make it as memorable as possible. Scoring two goals and helping the team win was nearly perfect. The first goal is right up there among my best for England.”
Regarding his desire for a hat-trick, he remarked, “I had enough shots to go for the hat-trick! But with more games coming up, there were no hard feelings about the substitution.”
Kane also addressed criticisms, using them as motivation: “From a young age, I was doubted in terms of what I could achieve, and that has helped keep my focus. When things aren’t going your way, there’s a hunger to perform and maintain this level. I want to keep pushing the boundaries, and I showed that tonight. Come October, I’ll be ready to go again.”
Carsley: Moving in the Right Direction
Interim head coach Lee Carsley expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “It was important to secure the results but more so to deliver the performances. Scoring four goals in two games is positive, and I believe we could have scored more. I feel we’re moving in the right direction.”
When asked about managing pressure, he admitted, “I still feel that pressure with the U21s! I just want the players to excel, and I feel responsible for creating opportunities for them. Competition remains high within the squad, and I’m already thinking about the next matches and how the squad will look.”
What’s Next?
England’s Nations League campaign resumes next month, with a home match against Greece on October 10, followed by an away clash in Finland three days later.
Credit: Sky Sports
