England v Finland LIVE: Nations League result as Harry Kane scores twice on 100th appearance | OneFootball

(Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

England continued their winning streak under interim manager Lee Carsley as they backed up their victory over the Republic of Ireland with a 2-0 win against Finland at Wembley.

The Three Lions impressed in the first half in Dublin with a free-flowing and agressive style of play but here they were frustrated trying to break through a low block though Anthony Gordon was a bright spark on the left side especially when combining with Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis.

Harry Kane, making his 100th appearance for England tonight, thought he’d opened the scoring with a fine header from Bukayo Saka’s cross but the goal was chalked off for offside resulting in a goalless first 45 minutes.

But, Kane broke the deadlock with a blistering second half strike. He added a second after being fed the ball in the box by substitute Noni Madueke and capped off a night to remember with another superb win.

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The one part of ‘Carsball’ that should have England fans excited – even if it is only Nations League B

As much as this match rightfully became about Harry Kane, there was something else it resembled as Lee Carsley’s England fluidly worked the ball to the centurion for his 67th and 68th international goals. It was like one of the top Premier League teams patiently moving a Championship side around until the gaps presented themselves.

That is intended to be much more positive than it sounds, even if nights like this show – well – the less exhilarating side of the Nations League. International football isn’t all tournament intensity where emotions are pushed to the limits. It is usually this kind of night, especially if you are an elite-level squad relegated to the competition’s second division, as England are.

A limited but respectable side like Finland will dig in and make it difficult for you, potentially making it a long night.

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Mike Jones10 September 2024 22:47

Harry Kane brings up 100 caps on golden night – and he really can score 100 England goals

He wore golden boots, just as he has won them. Three as the Premier League’s top scorer, one for outscoring everyone else in a World Cup. It was a fitting way to mark Harry Kane’s century of caps, though. Not the most fitting: that came after the presentations. England 2-0 Finland was Kane 2-0 Finland, a golden night for the golden boots.

Yet there is something unflashy to him. Kane has been defined by goals but he has also exuded a reliability. “I want to score goals,” he said; a bland enough statement but a motto for his career. It was unsurprising, then, on his 100th cap and with England requiring a goal, that Kane obliged.

He took Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass, turned away from Robert Ivanov in deft fashion and then delivered the brutal finish, rising as it flew past Lukas Hradecky. It was typical of a man whose hunger is rarely sated by one that he swept in another, with expert precision, from Noni Madueke’s pass.

Harry Kane brings up 100 caps – and he really can score 100 England goals

England 2-0 Finland: Kane scored twice on his landmark night wearing golden boots as he set about hunting down a new goalscoring target

Mike Jones10 September 2024 22:36

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FT England 2-0 Finland

Harry Kane scored his 26th and 27th goals in 35 appearances at Wembley for his country; already the most of any England player at the venue.

Mike Jones10 September 2024 22:44

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FT England 2-0 Finland

Lille’s Angel Gomes became the first player to start for England while playing for a French club since Marseille’s Trevor Steven in June 1992 (v France).

Mike Jones10 September 2024 22:40

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Harry Kane wears golden boots as he scores twice on 100th England cap

Harry Kane was sporting a pair of golden boots as England took on Finland in his 100th appearance for the national side – and scored twice wearing the new footwear.

Only nine players have reached 100 caps for England before Kane, and the Bayern Munich forward led his side out in the Nations League match at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.

The Football Association made pre-match ceremony which included a golden cap presentation, made by Frank Lampard.

Harry Kane wears golden boots as he scores twice on 100th England cap

Harry Kane had a slightly different look than usual during England’s game against Finland

Mike Jones10 September 2024 22:32