For almost an hour Lee Carsley was left cursing the finish.
Not the opposition who frustrated England at Wembley, but his side’s inability to convert chances against opponents from the second division of international football. Until the man in the golden boots provided two goals of the same colour, to celebrate his big night in predictable fashion.
Harry Kane doesn’t get to write his own scripts. But he might as well do.
READ MORE: Five things England interim boss Lee Carsley learned in tough Finland victory
READ MORE: Kane marks 100th cap with vintage goal as fans brand him ‘England’s best ever’
Join the Daily Star’s WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and lots more
The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us!
Through the app, we’ll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…along with the latest breaking news of course.
To join our community, all you have to do to join is click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in!
No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
On the occasion of his 100th cap, Kane lashed home a couple of sublime strikes to sink Finland and give interim boss Carsley two wins from two since replacing Gareth Southgate.
And a very decent start to Carsley’s interview for the job on a full-time basis. In front of his wife and kids, Kane became just the third Englishman in history to score on his 100th appearance after Sir Bobby Charlton and Wayne Rooney.
What did you think of Harry Kane’s performance? Let us know in the comments section
This is the company Kane is not just keeping these days, but putting in the shade at times. The centurion now has 68 international goals and counting.
Kane had missed some earlier chances, but was never going to be denied on this night of all nights. On 58 minutes he opened the scoring, taking a pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold before cutting inside Robert Ivanov and lashing an unstoppable strike past Lukas Hradecky.
Kane then doubled his tally 19 minutes later, meeting substitute Noni Madueke’s cross before sweeping a sumptuous effort into the far corner. Carsley made four changes, which included a fist senior start for Lille midfielder Angel Gomes.
Rico Lewis was also recalled for what was his second start at senior level, with John Stones and Ezri Konsa coming back into defence. But it felt like the whole night belonged to one man – Kane.
And Kane could have scored inside four minutes when Anthony Gordon blitzed down the left, cut back inside and picked him out at the back post. But Kane decided to head back cross goal instead of trying to beat Hradecky.
Moments later he met Bukayo Saka’s cross, but shanked is shot well wide. Then Kane saw the impressive Hradecky beat out his shot, after Gomes’s pass had deflected into his path.
The Finnish goalkeeper was having a busy and productive night, clawing out Saka’s effort with one hand. And even when Kane did find the back of the net on 23 minutes, his effort was ruled out for off-side.
Trent Alexander-Arnold fizzed a shot inches wide, then did the same with a free kick, while Hradecky continued to pull out all the stops. The Bayer Leverkusen star stuck out his right hand to frustrate Kane again, before blocking another effort from Gordon.
It was going to take something special to beat Hradecky. But even he was powerless to deny Kane his moment of double delight.
Carsley has made it clear he has no intention of singing the national anthem.
But even he must have been tempted to hum the tune of ‘God Save The Kane’ to himself on the sidelines.