Harry Kane marked his record-equalling 125th England appearance with two goals and an assist as Thomas Tuchel’s side beat Czechia 3-0 to move closer to the Nations League quarter-finals.
Kane equalled Peter Shilton’s record as England’s most-capped player and played a decisive role in all three goals in Tuesday’s Group A3 victory.
England took the lead when the Bayern Munich striker’s cross was turned into his own net by Czechia captain Vladimir Coufal. Kane then doubled the advantage five minutes before half-time, finishing from inside the penalty area after Elliot Anderson’s excellent pass released Morgan Rogers, whose first-time delivery found the forward.
He completed the scoring shortly before the hour mark, heading in from Lewis Hall’s corner for his 91st England goal.
Kane has now scored 13 times in 2026, the second-highest total by an England player in a calendar year. Only Kane himself has done better, with 16 goals in 2021. He also became the oldest player in England history to score twice in successive appearances, aged 33 years and 70 days.
“I don’t know about the best and stuff, but he is a legend of the English game, and hopefully he stays fit and gets the record for himself,” Tuchel said.
“He will inspire loads of young people to play football and encourage people to have a career like him and try their luck. He’s a fantastic role model and he deserves praise.”
The result leaves England on nine points, with Spain already through to the next round. Tuchel’s team need only one point from their remaining two matches against Croatia and Spain next month to guarantee a place in the last eight.
“Next camp is the most important to secure our place in the quarter-finals, but we have high ambitions, we want to go to the last four and make it to 10 Nations League games,” Tuchel said.
“We had a very good camp, very good four matches. The performance against Spain was also on a high level. We were very close to beating them.
“We didn’t beat them, but the reaction is what matters. To win three matches with three clean sheets in the way we did is very impressive, and the team deserves praise.”
The victory was Tuchel’s 20th as England manager in his 26th game, making him the fastest England manager to reach that total. He surpassed Walter Winterbottom, who needed 27 matches between 1946 and 1950.
England have scored 39 goals in 16 games in 2026. Their highest total in a calendar year remains 52, achieved in 2021.
“It was a very good performance again and we deserved the win,” Tuchel added.
“I am very satisfied. We had a very good camp and, again, a very good performance. We were totally dominant, created good moments, scored nice goals and deserved the win.
“The effort was there, the quality was there. It was an excellent two weeks. Training and attitude, cohesion, belief. Of course, we didn’t go out in the group stage [of the World Cup] and, of course, it made us stronger.
“We’re on a high level, that’s been throughout, that’s how it is. You learn every day and go stronger through the matches.”
