England sweep Czechs aside as Kane equals Shilton's 125-cap record
England beat the Czech Republic 3-0 at Wembley on 6 October to all but seal a place in the Nations League quarter-finals.
Captain Harry Kane scored twice on his 125th appearance for England. A cap, in football language, is an international appearance. That total equals Peter Shilton's all-time England men's record, The Guardian reported.
Kane now has 91 England goals. He started the scoring without touching the net. His cross from the right forced Czech defender Vladimir Coufal to turn the ball into his own goal to put England ahead.
The second goal came from open play. Elliot Anderson supplied the pass that opened up the Czech defence, BBC Sport reported. Kane did the rest. His second strike completed a comfortable home win in this UEFA Nations League 2027 league-phase fixture.
It was a night for milestones and management. Kane, England's captain, left the pitch in the 82nd minute. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on in his place.
Thomas Tuchel, England's coach, also used the depth of his squad. Trent Alexander-Arnold started at right-back after being recalled by Tuchel. Marc Guehi started again, completing four starts in four games across this extended international break.
Tuchel made double changes in each half. James Garner replaced Anderson in the 63rd minute. Jarrad Branthwaite replaced Guehi at the same time to win his third cap. Lewis Hall and Jude Bellingham then made way in the 73rd minute for Morgan Gibbs-White and Rio Ngumoha.
What makes this stand out is the timing. Kane equalled the appearance record and extended his own scoring record in the same match. Records can weigh heavy. He carried this one lightly.
For fans, this means England can plan ahead. The win virtually guaranteed progress to the quarter-finals, the knockout round that follows the group-style league phase. England had already beaten Czechia 2-0 in Prague in late September, with second-half goals from Anthony Gordon and Kane, according to UEFA's highlights record.
England finished the job at home. The captain led it.
