Some players mark a milestone night with a quiet tribute. Harry Kane marked his with two goals. The England captain equalled Peter Shilton's all-time national appearance record with his 125th cap on Tuesday and crowned the occasion with a brace in a comfortable 3-0 Nations League victory over Czechia at Wembley — a result that all but seals England's place in the quarter-finals.
Czechia, still without a point in the group, offered little resistance after former West Ham defender Vladimir Coufal turned Kane's dangerous cross into his own net after 27 minutes. Kane then took over, scoring twice and having a hand in all three goals on a night when a sold-out Wembley came to celebrate its captain, according to Reuters.
Table of Contents
- A record night, marked in goals
- Tuchel's revival gathers pace
- Spain leave it late again
- Frequently Asked Questions
A record night, marked in goals
Kane was never going to let one of the proudest nights of his career drift by without scoring. Five minutes before half-time, Elliot Anderson launched a long ball to Morgan Rogers, whose sublime first-time cross from the right found the 33-year-old in the box for a clinical finish — his 90th international goal, and his fifth of this international break.
The sixth arrived twelve minutes into the second half. The Bayern Munich striker rose highest to head Lewis Hall's corner home from the back post, taking his England tally to 91 goals in 125 appearances — a scoring rate that puts him in rarefied air in international football.
In the 82nd minute, with the result long settled, Kane was replaced by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and every supporter inside the stadium rose to give the captain a standing ovation. There was a touch of youth to cherish too: 18-year-old Rio Ngumoha came on for Jude Bellingham for his third England appearance and his first at Wembley, becoming the second-youngest player ever to appear for England at the stadium at 18 years and 38 days — behind only Bellingham himself, who managed it at 17 years and 136 days.
The win completed a strong four-game Nations League spell for England, who have now won three in a row after opening the break with a defeat to Spain. The latest run follows their spectacular 7-0 demolition of Croatia at the weekend.
Tuchel's revival gathers pace
Thomas Tuchel started this international break under real pressure, with the fallout from England's World Cup semi-final defeat still lingering ominously. But the mood around the head coach — and towards him — feels markedly more positive now. Three consecutive wins, thirteen goals scored across the last two games, and a captain in record-equalling, history-defining form have put a positive spin on England life.
England sit second in their Nations League group with nine points and have all but clinched a quarter-final spot: they will progress as long as they do not lose to Croatia by seven goals when the group concludes next month.
Jude Bellingham played well but was still quiet by his own ridiculously high standards — though, as observers noted, it was simply good to see him enjoying his football in an England shirt again. Morgan Rogers continued to inject a new threat into the attack, with his first-time assist for Kane's opener of the pair underlining his growing influence.
Kane's achievement also carries a broader symmetry: in a fortnight when Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal career has dominated the headlines — covered by Chronicle in Ronaldo's Portugal exit statement — the great number-nine rivalry that has defined a generation of European football found its English echo at Wembley.
Spain leave it late again
In the night's other League A3 match, world champions Spain produced another trademark escape act. Croatia, thrashed 7-0 by England three days earlier, threatened a major upset in Split when Ivan Perisic headed them into a 17th-minute lead. But Mikel Merino equalised in the 61st minute, Perisic was sent off for a second yellow in the 79th, and Merino completed the comeback ten minutes later with a left-footed finish into the corner.
Spain's 2-1 win extended their unbeaten run to 42 matches — stretching back to March 2024 — and sealed their place in the Nations League quarter-finals. They top the group with 12 points, with England on nine and Croatia on three. The Merino double mirrored his heroics in the reverse fixture, as Chronicle reported in Merino's brace sinks Croatia. Elsewhere, Slovenia beat Scotland 2-1 in League B1, with Aljosa Matko and Danijel Sturm cancelling out Ryan Christie's opener.
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Harry Kane equal?
Kane earned his 125th England cap against Czechia, equalling goalkeeper Peter Shilton's all-time record for men's appearances. He marked the occasion with two goals, taking his international tally to 91.
What was the result of England vs Czechia?
England won 3-0 at Wembley: a 27th-minute Vladimir Coufal own goal from Kane's cross, followed by Kane strikes just before half-time and in the 57th minute.
Have England qualified for the Nations League quarter-finals?
Not mathematically, but near enough: England sit second in the group on nine points behind Spain and will secure their spot as long as they do not lose to Croatia by seven goals next month.
Who is Rio Ngumoha?
The 18-year-old came on for Jude Bellingham for his third England appearance and his first at Wembley, becoming the second-youngest player ever to play for England at the stadium (18 years, 38 days), behind only Bellingham himself.
What happened in Spain vs Croatia?
Spain came from behind to win 2-1 in Split: Mikel Merino scored twice around an Ivan Perisic header and a second-half red card for Perisic. The win sealed Spain's quarter-final place and extended their unbeaten run to 42 games.
