England have set-up a straight shoot-out for the top spot of Nations League Group A3 with Spain after a 2-1 win over Croatia on a night centred around Harry Kane
Harry Kane was once again the man of the moment on Thursday during an evening that was dedicated to the Bayern Munich star. However, the Kane celebrations were almost upstaged as the same old problems were exposed for Thomas Tuchel.
The Three Lions are battling an injury crisis at the back, and their makeshift defence looked shaky at best, with Croatia unlucky to only find the net once. Tuchel has built his career around defensive stability, but that familiar solidity has been difficult to replicate with England.
Even his most famous night in charge, at the Azteca, had moments that felt more like desperation than control.
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However, it was only ever going to be Kane’s stage at Wembley on Thursday evening – and after all the pomp and splendour of the pre-match presentation, the Bayern Munich star duly found the back of the net.
Kane, already a legend for the Three Lions, was immortalised ahead of kick-off as he surpassed Peter Shilton’s record to become England’s most-capped men’s player. He can now add that accolade to his all-time goalscoring record.
Even Luka Modric, who was named among Croatia’s substitutes, played his part in the celebrations, handing Kane a commemorative football to mark the occasion. But once the whistle sounded, it was back to business for England’s captain and commander-in-chief.
Morgan Rogers opened the scoring for the Three Lions, somewhat scrappily poking the ball past Dominik Livakovic. However, that effort looked like a Puskas Award contender compared to what followed, as a defensive calamity gifted Croatia a route back into the game.
Jarell Quansah’s soft header allowed Petar Sucic to nip in and turn the ball past Jordan Pickford, who was between the sticks for England. Croatia were only level for five minutes, before England were awarded a spot-kick.
Up stepped Kane. And as he has done so many times for the Three Lions, lashed the ball into the back of the net. James Garner thought he had added a third four minutes for time, but his celebrations were stopped by the offside flag.
Tougher tests await for England – and they have now set-up a straight shoot-out for the top spot in Nations League Group A3 as they face Spain in Madrid on Sunday.