Harry Kane celebrated his record-breaking 126th England appearance with a goal from the penalty spot. England beat Croatia 2-1 on Thursday to book a place in the Nations League quarter-finals.
Slaven Bilic’s team wanted to avoid the embarrassment of their 7-0 mauling by England in Rijeka last month. They looked much more solid from the kick-off.
Goals from Morgan Rogers and captain Kane kept England second in their group. This confirmed their place in the Nations League last eight in March.
Neither side got out of second gear in the opening stages of the match at Wembley. Elliot Anderson fired over in the 16th minute. Croatia’s Josip Misic flashed a shot wide midway through the first half.
Chelsea forward Rogers broke the deadlock in the 24th minute in slightly fortuitous fashion following a neat move by the home side. Kane floated a ball to Jude Bellingham on the right of the penalty area. The Real Madrid man cushioned the ball first time across the area toward Rogers.
Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol had a chance to clear but got in a tangle. Chelsea’s Rogers poked the ball past goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. Thomas Tuchel’s men were again the more potent team at the beginning of the second period.
The visitors levelled against the run of play just before the hour mark. England defender Jarell Quansah made a glaring error, misdirecting a header from close range toward Jordan Pickford following a Croatia corner.
Minutes later England were back in front. Bayer Leverkusen defender Quansah was again at the heart of the action after his shirt was tugged in the penalty area. Referee Morten Krogh initially did not award a penalty. He was sent to the monitor by the VAR and pointed to the spot.
Kane made no mistake, drilling home for his record-extending 92nd England goal. Nikola Vlasic gave England a scare, firing just wide of Jordan Pickford’s goal as Croatia showed they were still alive.
James Garner thought he had scored a third for England after a Bellingham cut-back. Bellingham was in an off-side position when he received the ball. Ballon d’Or winner Kane won his 126th cap when the game kicked off, taking him clear of his tie with former goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
A giant banner was raised before kick-off with a picture of the 33-year-old and the words England’s Finest. Shilton was part of a pre-match presentation to honor the Three Lions skipper, along with Football Association patron Prince William.
England are second in Nations League Group A3 after leaders Spain beat the Czech Republic 2-0. They are now assured of a place in the quarter-finals. Spain and England face each other in Madrid on Sunday.
