UEFA Nations League: Kane scores brace on record-tying England appearance
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Harry Kane finished the first international break of the season by tying Peter Shilton’s record for most England appearances. The FC Bayern superstar ended his special night with goals at either end of the half-time break.
The 33-year-old produced the cross when Thomas Tuchel’s side found a breakthrough with Vladimir Coufal’s own-goal. The Hoffenheim wingback wore the captain’s armband for Czechia in the absence of the suspended Ladislav Krejčí.
Kane doubled England’s advantage from Morgan Rogers’ delivery five minutes before half-time. He then completed his brace with a header from Lewis Hall’s corner-kick just before the hour mark.
The Three Lions captain received a huge send-off when he was substituted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The Ballon d’Or hopefuls scored six goals during the international break, which matches his tally for FC Bayern since the start of the season.
Meanwhile, Jarell Quansah played as a center-back for the first time this season. The Bayer Leverkusen defender is on the radar of multiple clubs, with many expecting the current campaign will be his last in Bundesliga.
In the other game from the group, Spain extended their unbeaten run to 42 games with a comeback victory in Croatia. Ivan Perišić scored the only goal of the first-half days after Croatia’s heaviest defeat.
However, the former FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund player was sent off ten minutes before time as the world champions took another three points, with ex-Dortmund all-rounder Mikel Merino scoring a brace off the bench.
In League B action, Augsburg’s Fabian Rieder opened the scoring for Switzerland in their 3-0 victory over North Macedonia. Murat Yakin's side won all their first four games in the extended international break, which came to a close on Tuesday night.
The UEFA Nations League group stage fixtures will be completed next month with two rounds of fixtures. Kane, who will know his Ballon d’Or fate by then, will have a chance to single-handedly take the record for most caps when England host Croatia on November 12th.
