Albania 0-2 England: Report, result and goals as Kane double sees Three Lions complete perfect qualifying campaign
It took until the late stages of the game but Kane was on hand to seal all three points for his country...
England completed their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Albania in Tirana, with Harry Kane scoring twice in the second half to secure a perfect defensive record for the Three Lions.
Thomas Tuchel’s much-changed side were made to work for the win, but ultimately their superior quality told as Albania faded late on.
The first half offered little in terms of clear chances, with both teams already assured of their positions in the group. England dominated possession without creating much, while Albania were encouraged whenever winger Hoxha found space on the counter.
Declan Rice registered the game’s first shot on target with a scuffed effort easily held by Thomas Strakosha, before Jarrod Bowen forced the Albanian goalkeeper into a low save with England’s best opportunity of the half.
Jude Bellingham also teed up Jarrad Quansah from a corner, but the debutant’s header was too tame to trouble the goalkeeper.
Albania threatened sporadically, mainly through Hysaj and Hoxha, but Dean Henderson was rarely tested as the match reached half-time level at 0-0.
The second half opened at a far quicker pace. Albania produced two early warning signs, with Hoxha again at the centre of their threat.
The winger cut inside to force Henderson into a smart stop before setting up another opening that Bajrami wasted with a heavy finish.
England responded in kind as Bellingham slipped in Eberechi Eze, only for the forward to shoot straight at Strakosha. The visitors missed further chances through Bukayo Saka and Bowen, and Tuchel eventually turned to his bench with a series of substitutions aimed at lifting the tempo.
The breakthrough arrived in the 74th minute from a corner. Saka’s delivery was flicked on at the near post by Aliji, and Kane reacted quickest to poke home from close range.
The England captain, who has now scored 40 qualifying goals for major tournaments since 2019, then doubled the lead eight minutes later with a trademark header.
Marcus Rashford delivered an excellent cross from the left, and Kane met it firmly inside the six-yard box to settle the contest.
The match ended on a sombre note as Albania striker Armando Broja was carried off on a stretcher after appearing to suffer a knee injury.
With six minutes added on, England calmly saw out the result to conclude a flawless clean-sheet campaign and head into next year’s tournament in a very confident mood.