Harry Kane marked his milestone 100th appearance for England in spectacular fashion, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over Finland in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday.
Before kickoff at Wembley Stadium, the England captain was honored with a golden cap to commemorate his century of caps, and he took to the field wearing special gold boots. The atmosphere was electric as fans eagerly anticipated a memorable performance from their star striker.
Kane didn’t disappoint. His first goal was classic Kane—a moment of individual brilliance. Beating a Finnish defender with a deft touch, he unleashed a powerful shot that soared into the net, clipping the underside of the crossbar as it went in. His teammates swarmed him in celebration, acknowledging the significance of the moment.
The second goal came courtesy of an assist from one of England’s rising talents, Noni Madueke. The young midfielder played a precise pass to Kane, who struck a shot that took a slight deflection before finding the back of the net. The crowd erupted, and soon after, Kane was substituted to a standing ovation, embracing the applause from the adoring fans.
“It was a big night for me, obviously really proud to reach 100 caps. I want to score goals, I want to help the team,” Kane said after the match, reflecting on his achievement and the team’s performance.
The win marked the second straight 2-0 victory for interim manager Lee Carsley, who stepped in after Gareth Southgate’s departure following England’s loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. Carsley’s leadership has steadied the team, and with back-to-back wins, speculation is growing about his potential to remain in the role longer.
England currently sits atop its Nations League group in the second tier, level on six points with Greece, which defeated Ireland 2-0 in their match. The competition remains tight as teams vie for promotion to the top tier.
As England looks ahead to the next international break in October, fans are hopeful that the team’s positive momentum will continue, bolstered by Kane’s leadership and the emerging talents making their mark on the international stage.
Reference(s):
Nations League roundup: Kane celebrates 100th cap with brace
cgtn.com
