Albania 0-2 England: Kane brace helps England end WC qualifying with 100% record

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Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as England beat Albania to complete a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign with eight wins from eight.

The Three Lions were already qualified as group winners and Thomas Tuchel made seven changes to the side that beat Serbia at Wembley on Thursday.

Alongside the changes to the starting XI, Tuchel made tactical tweaks with John Stones stepping into midfield whenever England were in possession but despite the victory it was not a vintage England performance.

Kane scored his first in the 74th minute when he bundled the ball in from close range from substitute Bukayo Saka's corner before he headed in Marcus Rashford's excellent cross eight minutes later.

It was not England's best performance under Tuchel but they had chances to take the lead before Kane's double with Jude Bellingham, Jarrod Bowen and Saka all going close.

Albania were in good form coming into this match themselves, unbeaten in their previous eight matches, and they had a good chance to take the lead but Arber Hoxha shot straight at Dean Henderson at the end of a counter-attack.

The win means that England have become the first European side to play at least six qualifiers and win them all without conceding.

Line-ups

Albania XI: Hysaj, Djimsiti, Naser Aliji, Strakosha, Qazim Laci, Myrto Uzuni, Ylber Ramadani, Ardian Ismajli, Nedim Bajrami, Arbër Hoxha, Asllani

Subs: Ajeti, Balliu, Jasir Asani, Rey Manaj, Mario Dajsinani, Mirlind Daku, Klisman Cake, Armando Broja, Simon Simoni, Indrit Tuci, Adrion Pajaziti, Medon Berisha

England XI: Burn, Kane, Stones, Dean Henderson, Bowen, Rice, Eberechi Eze, Bellingham, Quansah, Nico O'Reilly, Adam Wharton

Subs: Henderson, Pickford, Trevoh Chalobah, Elliot Anderson, Rashford, Foden, Reece James, Morgan Rogers, Spence, Saka, James Trafford, Alex Scott

Related: Albania England
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