Kanes brace delivers Englands historic end to World Cup qualification
Harry Kane completed a perfect Englands historic close to their World Cup qualifying run with a brace in the dying minutes during Sundays 2-0 victory against Albania.
Kane scored twice near the end as Thomas Tuchels team created history in Tirana.
Following their eighth straight win in Group K England became the inaugural European nation to complete a World Cup qualifying group of six or more games undefeated while keeping a clean sheet throughout.
They join Germany from 2018 as the only European teams to triumph in every World Cup qualifier.
England remain unbeaten in World Cup qualifiers over 39 matches since their 1-0 defeat to Ukraine in 2009.
They netted 22 times without conceding any in an impeccable route to the tournament set for next year in the United States Mexico and Canada.
Spain matching Englands clean sheet record and Norway have secured all their qualifiers too though each has one fixture remaining.
Englands streak of 10 straight competitive triumphs without letting in a goal matches Spains continental benchmark.
The Three Lions conclude 2025 with their best winning rate in a year since 1946 nine successes in 10 outings under Tuchel marred solely by a friendly defeat to Senegal in June.
"Great game. I enjoyed it. It was tough and emotional today. We dominated fully then briefly lost grip and pushed through challenging phases" Tuchel remarked.
"I sensed commitment yet breaking them proved hard. It took a small spark like a free kick or brilliance to unlock things.
"Plenty of strong play and skill to finish strongly. All are pleased and it was well earned."
Tuchel began his tenure with a 2-0 success over Albania in March and these same foes capped a standout debut year for the German coach.
Even after clinching World Cup qualification in October England heeded Tuchels call to maintain intensity overcoming Serbia on Thursday and stubborn Albania.
Tougher challenges await at the World Cup yet Tuchel has rebound from an early slow phase to foster real optimism that England could claim a major honour for the first time since 1966.
Upon resuming with two friendlies in March Tuchel will learn Englands World Cup opponents post the Washington draw on December 5.
End on a high
Tuchel rotated seven players reinstating Jude Bellingham in the starting XI for the first time since June after limiting him to a bench role versus Serbia.
Despite holding over 70 percent possession England struggled to penetrate Albania who boasted an eight game unbeaten sequence their finest in 15 years.
Sylvinhos resilient outfit almost stole an early advantage as Elseid Hysaj bent a shot narrowly wide from distance.
Absent from Octobers call ups Bellingham aimed to convince Tuchel of his worth vying for a World Cup starter spot after Morgan Rogers shone from Aston Villa in his place.
The Real Madrid playmakers input was inconsistent until he surged ahead to assist Jarrod Bowen whose effort Thomas Strakosha diverted round the upright.
Kane mentioned Saturdays plans for England to develop an NFL inspired strategy to maximise dead ball situations at the World Cup.
Appropriately the England skipper and avid NFL follower opened the scoring from a dead ball in the 74th minute.
Bukayo Sakas flag kick was nodded towards the near post and Kane finished after Strakoshas fumble.
The Bayern Munich forward added another in the 82nd minute reaching 78 England goals across 112 caps.
Marcus Rashfords precise delivery allowed Kane to power a header beyond Strakosha from close range sealing Englands campaign in style.