England concluded their flawless World Cup qualifying journey with a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Albania. Harry Kane netted two goals in the second half, securing the win for the Three Lions who maintained a perfect record of eight wins out of eight matches.

In Tirana, Thomas Tuchel made significant changes to the team following their qualification for the upcoming tournament. Seven alterations were made from the previous match, notably starting Jude Bellingham instead of Morgan Rogers.

Albania, still contending for a spot in the play-offs, posed a tough challenge early on. It took over 30 minutes for England to create a clear scoring opportunity, with Jarrod Bowen’s shot being deflected for a corner.

Despite not conceding in their previous seven matches, England faced threats from Albania, with Dean Henderson making key saves. However, with less than 20 minutes remaining, Harry Kane capitalized on a corner from Bukayo Saka to give England the lead. Kane sealed the victory with a second header, marking his 78th goal for the national team.

Heading to the World Cup, England’s qualifying campaign not only boasted eight wins but also maintained eight clean sheets.

Mirror Sport’s Chief Football Writer John Cross provided player ratings after the match in Albania.

– Dean Henderson: 7 – Impressive saves and a crucial tackle, solidifying his position as the next choice after Pickford.
– Jarell Quansah: 5 – Made his England debut but seemed uncomfortable playing as a right back.
– John Stones: 7 – Stood out as one of England’s top defenders, showcasing versatility by covering in midfield.
– Dan Burn: 6 – Lacked precision in passing despite posing a threat due to his height.
– Nico O’Reilly: 7 – Demonstrated defensive skills with effective tracking back and determined defending.
– Adam Wharton: 6 – Received a booking but displayed moments of quality in his first start for the team.
– Jude Bellingham: 8 – Exceptional work rate, displaying quality and proving his value as a key player for England.
– Declan Rice: 7 – Covered extensive ground but visibly tired in the second half.
– Jarrod Bowen: 7 – Consistently industrious and nearly found the net with his efforts.
– Eberechi Eze: 6 – Denied a goal by a fine save, struggled to make an impact from the left side.
– Harry Kane: 8 – A standout performance from the England captain, fulfilling his role as a goal scorer effectively.

Substitutions:
– Foden (for Rice, 63 mins): 7
– Saka (for Eze, 63 mins): 7
– Anderson (for Wharton, 75 mins)
– Rashford (for Bowen, 75 mins)
– Rogers (for Bellingham, 84 mins)

Substitutes not used: Pickford, Trafford, James, Chalobah, J. Henderson, Spence, Scott.

Man of the match: Harry Kane – Setting records, scoring goals, and delivering a flawless performance.

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