Kane marks 100th cap with double to continue England’s winning start under Carsley
Harry Kane celebrated a century of England caps by guiding his country to a hard-earned 2-0 UEFA Nations League victory over Finland at Wembley.
The hosts dominated the first half, yet despite enjoying 77% of the possession, they found no way past a resilient visiting defence who largely restricted their opponents to efforts from distance.
Trent Alexander-Arnold twice missed the target from range, while Kane looked most likely to break the deadlock, seeing a header ruled out for offside and having another effort strike.
It was all one-way traffic after the break though, and after Anthony Gordon and Kane had been denied by Lukas Hradecky, the latter finally broke the deadlock with a fizzing strike.
That took the sting out of Finland’s legs, and Kane duly added a second when picked out by substitute Noni Madueke to round off a decent night’s work and maintain Lee Carsley’s 100% record as interim boss.
TALKING POINT – Kane gets his moment in the sun
It has already been a record-breaking international career for Harry Kane, and, on the night when he celebrated reaching a century of England caps, he made his mark yet again.
The Bayern Munich forward, who received a golden cap from Frank Lampard before kick off, had already been denied on numerous occasions when he finally broke the deadlock just before the hour.
It was a fitting moment for a man who has scored more goals for the Three Lions than anybody else, and, he duly added a second – his 68th goal for his country – before being substituted.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Trent Alexander-Arnold (England). It really is a mystery as to why Gareth Southgate refused to give the Liverpool defender any gametime at right-back for his country.
The 25-year-old, recalled to the position since Lee Carsley took the reins, showed his former boss just what he was missing with another splendid display as he continuously unlocked the Finland defence.
One reverse pass in the first half brilliantly released Bukayo Saka, while he had a hand in both goals, with his ball converted by Kane for the first, before he teed up Noni Madueke for a cross for the second.
PLAYER RATINGS
ENGLAND: Pickford 6; Alexander-Arnold 8, Stones 6, Konsa 6, Lewis 7; Rice 6, Gomes 7; Saka 6, Grealish 6, Gordon 8; Kane 7. Subs: Colwill 6, Madueke 7, Eze 6, Guehi n/a, Bowen n/a
FINLAND: Hradecky 8; Stahl 7, Hoskonen 7, Ivanov 7, Uronen 6; Peltola 7, Kamara 7, Keskinen 6; Schuller 5, Pukki 6, Jensen 6. Subs: Niskanen 6, Kallman 6, Lod 5, Antman 6, Walta n/a
KEY MOMENTS
23’ GOAL RULED OUT! Kane things he has crowned his century of England caps with a goal, but he’s flagged offside after nodding home Saka’s cross
54’ KANE DENIED. A terrific save from Hradecky denies Kane, who thumped a 22-yard free-kick towards the near post, only for the shot to be palmed away
57’ GOAL! ENGLAND 1-0 FINLAND (Harry Kane) It has been coming, and what a moment for Harry Kane! Cap 100 is crowned by goal 67, as he dips inside past three defenders after receiving Alexander-Arnolds pass, and then lashes a thumping effort into the roof of the net from just inside the box!
76’ GOAL! ENGLAND 2-0 FINLAND (Harry Kane). It’s that man again! Goal number 67 is followed by goal number 68, as Madueke slides a pass to Kane, who does not even have to look up before angling a gorgeous, whipped shot into the far corner
KEY STATS
England win a home UEFA Nations League game for the first time since beating Iceland nearly four years agoFinland make it 12 games without a win against the Three Lions, losing ten of those fixtures
