Harry Kane marked his 100th England appearance with two goals to help the Three Lions beat Finland 2-0 in Tuesday's UEFA Nations League clash at Wembley Stadium.
The 31-year-old, England's all-time leading goalscorer, was honored with a golden cap prior to kickoff to celebrate becoming just the 10th male English player to reach a century of caps for his country.
Kane and co were initially left frustrated by the low block of Finland, who defended resolutely in the first 45 minutes and in the early stages of the second half, but England's No.9 made his presence felt shortly before the hour mark.
Indeed, just moments after trying his luck with a overhead kick, which was well saved by Finland's Lukas Hradecky, Kane fired England in front in the 57th minute with a thunderous right-footed shot that pinged off the underside of the crossbar and over the line.
Fourteen minutes from time, Kane doubled his tally and scored his record-extending 68th England goal with a sweet first-time strike following a neat one-two between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Noni Madueke - one of two debutants at Wembley along with Lille's Angel Gomes who was handed his first start by interim boss Lee Carsley.
England eventually cruised to their second successive Nations League victory, three days on from beating the Republic of Ireland 2-0 in Dublin, and they now sit level on points with League B Group A leaders Greece, who beat Ireland 2-0 on home soil.
ENGLAND VS. FINLAND HIGHLIGHTS
Harry Kane vs. Finland (57th min, England 1-0 Finland)
He's done it! 🙌
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 10, 2024
Harry Kane has a goal on his 100th cap and @England have the breakthrough! 🏴#ITVFootball | #ENGFIN pic.twitter.com/uM8iywxPgO
It just had to be him! Kane had his fair share of chances in the final third to mark his special night with a goal, but he had to wait until the 57th minute to eventually make the net ripple and open the scoring for England.
Just moments after Hradecky made two great saves to deny Anthony Gordon and an overhead kick from Kane, the Finnish goalkeeper could not stop a thunderbolt from England's No.9 inside the penalty area.
Kane, wearing golden boots on his golden occasion, received the ball on the half-turn and shifted it on to his right foot before unleashing a superb strike which flew past Hradecky in off the underside of the crossbar.
Harry Kane vs. Finland (76th min, England 2-0 Finland)
The Grealish switch. The through ball from Trent. The assist from Madueke 😍
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 10, 2024
And of course, the finish from Harry Kane 👏
It's beautiful from @England #ITVFootball | #ENGFIN pic.twitter.com/x2hE0ZqxQ6
Chelsea's Noni Madueke was brought on for his senior England debut midway through the second half, and the winger made a notable impression on the right flank as well as provided the assist for Kane's second goal.
Madueke linked up well with Alexander-Arnold down the right, receiving a smart first-time through-ball from the Liverpool right-back before flicking the ball into the path of Kane, who whipped a sweet right-footed strike beyond Hradecky.
MAN OF THE MATCH - TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
© Imago
While Kane will understandably be in the headlines for his brilliant brace on a landmark occasion, Trent Alexander-Arnold was a standout performer for England and deserves all the plaudits that come his way.
The Liverpool right-back created a total of six chances and produced 18 passes into the final third against Finland, more than any other player on the Wembley turf, while he was also involved in both goals, setting up Kane's first with a driven pass before sending Madueke through down the right to assist Kane for his second.
A special mention should also go to 24-year-old Gomes, who impressed in midfield both in and out of possession on his debut.
ENGLAND VS. FINLAND MATCH STATS
Possession: England 79%-21% Finland
Shots: England 22-2 Finland
Shots on target: England 8-0 Finland
Corners: England 8-2 Finland
Fouls: England 6-8 Finland
BEST STATS
100 - Harry Kane will tonight become the 10th player to win 100 caps for the England men's national team, and first to hit that milestone since Wayne Rooney in November 2014. Exclusive. pic.twitter.com/j0aaaSAbKV
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 10, 2024
1992 - Angel Gomes will be the first player to start for England while playing for a French club since Marseille's Trevor Steven in June 1992 (v France). Renaissance. pic.twitter.com/11SHsYsDbS
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 10, 2024
3 - Harry Kane is the third player to score on his 100th appearance for the England men's side, after Wayne Rooney versus Slovenia in 2014 and Bobby Charlton versus Northern Ireland in 1970. Occasion. pic.twitter.com/iSbjUGOuzS
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 10, 2024
1⃣ Bobby Charlton
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 10, 2024
2⃣ Wayne Rooney
3⃣ Harry Kane
Harry Kane has become the third player to score on his 100th appearance for England!#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/NnSihltf4R
WHAT NEXT?
Both England and Finland are next in Nations League action in October, with the Three Lions travelling to Helsinki for the reverse fixture against Finland on October 13 three days after hosting Greece in London.
Meanwhile, Finland play host to the Republic of Ireland at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on October 10, before welcoming England to the same venue three days later.
Oliver Thomas
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