Kane equals Shilton's 125-cap record as England beat Czechs 3-0
Harry Kane scored twice on his 125th England appearance as England beat the Czech Republic 3-0 at Wembley.
The win closed an extended international break of four Nations League games, the Nations League being UEFA's competition for national teams played between major tournaments. These were England's first matches since losing to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta. Head coach Thomas Tuchel used them to mix trusted names with new faces, according to BBC Sport.
Kane's double made it a night for the history books. The 33-year-old equalled Peter Shilton's record of 125 caps, the term used for international appearances. He is already England's all-time record scorer with 91 goals. Wayne Rooney is next on that list with 53 goals in 120 games.
The break also belonged to England's wide attackers. Anthony Gordon, who joined Barcelona from Newcastle, scored against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia. Bukayo Saka scored twice in the 7-0 win away to Croatia on 3 October 2026. Saka had been hampered by an Achilles injury during the World Cup and looked sharp again.
Midfield told its own story. Declan Rice, of Arsenal, sat out games as his load was managed after injury. Tuchel said Rice remains a fixed point in his team amid growing competition for places. Elliot Anderson, who joined Manchester City from Nottingham Forest for £116m in the summer, is part of that push.
Morgan Gibbs-White cut short a family holiday to join the squad after being left out at first. The Nottingham Forest midfielder answered the late call. Alex Scott made his England debut in that 7-0 win against Croatia, then missed the Czech game with a thigh injury. Bournemouth fear he could be out for two months.
There was change elsewhere too. Cole Palmer withdrew from the squad. Jude Bellingham, 23 and England's player of the year, remains central to Tuchel's plans. Chelsea's Morgan Rogers and 18-year-old Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha were also part of the wider group.
What makes this stand out is the mood shift. A semi-final defeat can linger. Four games, goals shared around and a record for the captain gave strangers in the stands something to feel together again.
