Kane fires double against Finland to mark 100th England cap

AFP

England captain Harry Kane marked his 100th senior international appearance in trademark fashion with both goals in his team's 2-0 victory over a feeble Finland side in their Nations League Group B2 game at Wembley on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old Bayern Munich striker, who received a golden cap before kickoff and sported a pair of dazzling golden boots, broke Finland's gritty resistance with a dipping right-footed strike in the 57th minute.

At times it appeared to be a battle between Kane and Finland's impressive keeper Lukas Hradecky on a wet London night with the stopper making several fine saves to deny the striker.

But a razor-sharp Kane beat Hradecky again in the 76th minute, sweeping in another right-footed effort to take his England tally to a record-extending 68.

Kane, who also had a first-half header ruled out for offside, was given a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 80th minute.

England's win was their second under interim manager Lee Carsley after the away victory over Ireland on Saturday and puts them joint top of their Nations League group with Greece who beat Ireland 2-0 on Tuesday.

While the debate about whether Carsley can become the full-time manager in the wake of Gareth Southgate's resignation following Euro 2024, the statistics make a compelling argument that Kane is his country's greatest striker.

He became only the third player to score on his 100th England appearance, although Wayne Rooney and Bobby Charlton only managed to hit the net once on their big nights.

The former Tottenham Hotspur striker was rightly criticised during England's run to the Euro 2024 final, looking heavy-legged and struggling to make much of an impact.

But he was back to his best against an admittedly limited Finland side.

"It was a big night for me, really proud. I want to score goals and help the team. Whenever you are doubted, it makes you more hungry to prove people wrong," Kane, the first England men's team player to reach 100 caps since Rooney in 2014.

 

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