Harry Kane scored twice on his 125th senior England appearance to move level with Peter Shilton at the top of the all-time caps list, helping England to a comfortable 3-0 Nations League victory over Czechia at Wembley.
Kane's goals took his international tally to 91, and he was also involved in the opening goal, a cross that forced an own goal from Czechia defender Vladimir Coufal. The captain was withdrawn in the 82nd minute to a great ovation.
Record-equalling night
The night began with Kane being shown a replay of his first England goal during a pre-match interview with ITV – the header against Lithuania in 2015, just 79 seconds after he came on as a substitute for his debut. It ended with him reflecting on two more goals in what was a supremely comfortable victory.
On the occasion of his 125th cap, the one that took him level with Shilton at the top of the all-time England list, he moved to an astonishing 91 goals. Nobody will be surprised if he reaches the century. The only question appears to be when.
England's dominance
Under Thomas Tuchel, England have played 16 matches against teams ranked outside the world's top 20. They have won 15 and drawn one – against Ghana at the World Cup. They have conceded only once – against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also at the World Cup. Czechia, who are ranked No 50, were never in the contest.
The victory meant that England virtually guaranteed their progress into the Nations League quarter-finals and saw them close out this elongated window with plenty of optimism. One of the main goals was to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the World Cup semi-final defeat against Argentina. It was mission accomplished.
Kane will break the caps record when England host Croatia in November and that will be the night when he is truly feted. He was one of only three England players to start each of the matches in this series. The others were Manchester City's Marc Guéhi and Elliot Anderson.
Key performances
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who Tuchel recalled at right-back, was involved in the buildup to the opening goal and caught the eye, especially when surging up and inside. Jude Bellingham was excellent, with fizzed passes that got England into dangerous positions.
Anderson should have made it 2-0 after a Bellingham lay-off; Kane sparked the move and Alexander-Arnold's cross drove it. The second goal arrived before half-time and it had to be Kane. Anderson's lofted ball up the inside right was a beauty and Rogers' first-time cross on the half-volley was even better, cut unerringly towards Kane in the middle. Kane was unmarked. Hornicek was helpless.
Kane wanted more. He got it. There was the moment shortly after the restart when he unloaded from the edge of the area and watched the shot kiss the top of the crossbar. Then he scored for real, rising to head in a Lewis Hall corner.
There was the minor irritation for Tuchel when Myles Lewis-Skelly got himself booked in the 53rd minute for pulling back Pavel Sulc. The midfielder will be suspended for England's next game and it was certainly not a great idea for him to get in the face of Michal Sadilek shortly afterwards. Sadilek had fouled Rogers and was booked. It was a needless risk from Lewis-Skelly.
England toyed with Czechia in the second half with Eze running through some of his party tricks. It was Kane who made the difference.
