LONDON (The Thursday Times) — Harry Kane marked his record 126th England cap with the winning goal as England beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley on Thursday to book their place in the Nations League quarter-finals.
The appearance took the England captain past Peter Shilton, who won 125 caps between 1970 and 1990, and made him the most-capped player in the history of the men’s team. Kane, who equalled the record on October 6 when he scored twice in a 3-0 win over Czechia, was honoured by Prince William and Shilton before kick-off.
Morgan Rogers gave England the lead in the first half, but Croatia drew level just before the hour when Petar Sucic took advantage of an error by Jarell Quansah. Kane settled the match from the penalty spot in the 64th minute.
The goal was his 92nd for England, extending a scoring record he took from Wayne Rooney in March 2023. Thursday was also the 99th match in which he has captained the side, another record.
A year to remember
The milestone came weeks after Kane won the Ballon d’Or, the first Englishman to do so since Michael Owen in 2001. The Bayern Munich striker made his England debut against Lithuania in March 2015.
The win sends England into the last eight of the Nations League. Kane had gone into the match needing one appearance to pass Shilton.
