England completed their flawless World Cup qualifying run with a hard-earned 2-0 victory against Albania. Harry Kane scored two goals in the second half, securing the Three Lions’ eighth consecutive win in the campaign.
Manager Thomas Tuchel made several changes in Tirana with England already assured of a spot in next summer’s tournament. Notably, Jude Bellingham started in place of Morgan Rogers, among seven alterations from the previous match against Serbia.
Despite Albania’s determination to secure a play-off spot, they posed a challenge in the early stages. England had to wait over 30 minutes for their first significant opportunity, as Jarrod Bowen’s shot was deflected for a corner.
Although England had kept clean sheets in their previous seven matches, Albania managed to create chances, testing goalkeeper Dean Henderson with two saves.
With less than 20 minutes remaining and the home crowd gaining hope, Harry Kane capitalized on a Bukayo Saka corner to break the deadlock. Kane then sealed the victory with a second header, marking his 78th goal for the national team.
England heads to the World Cup following a successful qualifying campaign that featured not only eight wins but also eight clean sheets.
Mirror Sport’s Chief Football Writer, John Cross, was present in Albania to assess the England players after another triumph. Player ratings were provided, highlighting standout performances including Kane’s match-winning display.
The substitutions made during the game were also noted, with players like Foden and Saka making impactful contributions off the bench.
In conclusion, Harry Kane, with another stellar performance, was named the Man of the Match for his record-breaking achievements and crucial goals that secured a perfect night for England.
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