Harry Kane leads England to victory over Finland

Harry Kane celebrated his 100th appearance for the England national team in style, scoring twice to secure a 2-0 victory over Finland in the Nations League. With these goals, Kane took his international tally to 68, further cementing his place as one of England's all-time greats. England’s Group 2 win in the B-division keeps their campaign perfect with two wins from two matches.

Eriksson tribute

The match began with a heartfelt tribute to former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson, who passed away last month. The ceremony, a nod to Eriksson’s significant contributions to English football, set the stage for a match in which England initially struggled to find their rhythm. Despite England dominating possession, it wasn’t until the 67th minute that Kane broke the deadlock. His powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area left Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky with no chance. It was a deserved moment for the 31-year-old Bayern Munich striker, who had been dangerous throughout the first half, though he was denied an earlier goal due to offside.

100 caps for Harry Kane

In celebration of his 100th cap, Kane was given a golden cap before the match, and fittingly, he took to the pitch wearing golden boots. His determination to mark the occasion with a goal was evident from the outset. Despite being kept at bay by the Finnish defense in the first half, Kane’s persistence paid off in the second half when he unleashed a shot that finally beat Hradecky. A second goal followed 15 minutes later, with Kane once again at the heart of the action. Noni Madueke, making his debut for the national team, provided the assist. The former PSV winger, now a Chelsea player, showed great composure to set up Kane for his second goal, sealing the victory for England. Kane was then substituted to a standing ovation from the home crowd in the 79th minute, marking a fitting end to his special night.

With the win, England maintains their flawless start to the Nations League campaign, sitting level with Greece, who also secured a 2-0 win over Ireland in the other group match. England's strong start sets the tone for the remainder of the competition, as they aim to return to the A-division of the Nations League. Kane's milestone match will be remembered not only for his goals but also for the emotional tribute to Eriksson, adding an extra layer of significance to the evening. As England looks forward, their captain's form will be crucial as they continue their pursuit of Nations League glory.