Harry Kane joined Peter Shilton on the top of England’s all-time appearance list on Tuesday night, and he turned the occasion into his own. The captain, winning his 125th cap, scored twice as England beat Czechia 3-0 at Wembley to move to the brink of the UEFA Nations League knockouts.

Vladimir Coufal’s own goal, nudged in while trying to deal with a Kane cross from the right, broke the game open before the half-hour. Twelve minutes later, Morgan Rogers chipped a cross into the box and Kane finished low across the keeper. In the second half he rose to a Lewis Hall corner and headed in his 91st England goal.

The result lifted England to nine points in Group A3 of League A, three behind leaders Spain and six clear of Croatia with two games to play. One more point from the November double-header will book a quarter-final place.

Rotation that landed cleanly

Thomas Tuchel reshaped his side for a fourth game in a demanding international window, reintroducing Trent Alexander-Arnold, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Rogers and Eberechi Eze to the starting XI. The verdict afterwards was unambiguous.

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“I think we played a very good match, very fluid. I think we dominated through the whole match, very focused,” Tuchel told the FA.

“Yeah, always on a high level, it is difficult to nominate the squad. I’m happy that everyone was contributing.”

On his captain, the German was shorter still.

“It’s what he does. I don’t take it for granted, it’s just exceptional every single match.”

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Ngumoha’s Wembley record

Rio Ngumoha came off the bench late on, replacing Jude Bellingham for the closing stretch. At 18 years and 38 days, the Liverpool forward became the second-youngest player to appear for England at Wembley.

Jarrad Branthwaite, James Garner, Morgan Gibbs-White and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were also handed minutes.

From Prague to Wembley in seven days

England had beaten the same opposition 2-0 in Prague seven days earlier, in a game Czechia played for the final hour with 10 men after Pavel Šulc was sent off for a high challenge on Elliot Anderson. Anthony Gordon and Kane scored in the second half.

England next host Croatia at Wembley on Thursday 12 November, with a trip to Spain following on Sunday 15 November.

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