Harry Kane has fired a formidable warning to England's World Cup rivals after a record-breaking double secured a perfect qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Albania.
A Historic Qualification Campaign
The Bayern Munich striker was the hero in England's eighth and final qualifier, netting both goals to ensure the Three Lions travel to next summer's tournament in the United States with maximum points and an unbreachable defence. This remarkable feat makes England the first European nation ever to navigate a World Cup qualifying group without conceding a single goal.
Captain Kane, whose brace took his international tally to an astounding 78 goals from 112 caps, was emphatic about his team's status. He declared the current squad, under manager Thomas Tuchel, is in the form of its life and must embrace the favourite's tag.
Kane's Confidence and Record-Breaking Feat
"It's as good as we've ever had," Kane stated, reflecting on the team's potent form. "We're going to go into the tournament as one of the favourites and we have to accept that." He highlighted the successful building process under the new coach, pointing towards a confident assault on the 2026 World Cup.
With his two goals, Kane surpassed the international scoring record of Brazilian icon Pele, placing himself joint 12th in the all-time list. While he still trails modern greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, his consistency for England remains unparalleled.
A Tough Battle and Squad Depth
The win in Albania did not come easily. Kane admitted it was "one of the toughest we had in the group," requiring patience to grind down a resilient opponent. The deadlock was finally broken from a set-piece, with Bukayo Saka's first qualifying corner leading to a flick-on and a tap-in for Kane.
The England captain was also quick to praise the impact of the substitutes, a key factor in turning the game. "If you want to go far in any tournament you need a whole squad," he emphasised, underscoring the importance of players coming off the bench to make a decisive difference.
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who earned a rare start and preserved the team's impeccable clean sheet record, expressed his delight. "I didn't want to be the one that stepped in and conceded!" he told the BBC, paying tribute to the excellent form of regular number one Jordan Pickford.
In a post-match footnote, Albania boss Sylvinho dismissed any controversy surrounding his player Kristjan Asllani swapping shirts with Jude Bellingham at half-time, calling it a normal act between "unbelievable players."
