- Kane plans to double-up in his 100th match of the year.
Harry Kane's flawless jubilee match, marked by a pair of goals while donning golden boots, has ignited his desire for even more scores. "I don't set boundaries for myself when it comes to achieving my goals. I know I'll get chances playing in this team, and if I get those chances, I can score plenty of goals," England's renowned striker shared after celebrating his 100th international match, sealing the occasion – quite predictably – with another brace.
In a thrilling 2-0 (0:0) victory over Finland in the Nations League, the Bayern Munich ace found the back of the net twice (57', 76'), adorning his eye-catching golden boots. As he exited the field in the 79th minute, the Wembley Stadium audience showered him with applause.
The interim coach Lee Carsley explained, "Tonight was a special occasion for him, so I wanted to allow the fans to express their gratitude." Carsley's maiden home win was largely attributed to Kane's prowess, as he scored his 67th and 68th international goals against Finland, drawing rave reviews from teammates and opponents alike.
"It was written in the stars," goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said with a smile in a Sky interview. For him, sharing the pitch with Kane is an "honor." "It's only fitting that he scored both goals – it was his night," added debutant Noni Madueke, who assisted in Kane's second goal: "It's enjoyable to work with him because when you pass the ball to him inside the box, he'll return the favor."
Even Finland's national goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky had nothing but praise for Kane. "The statistics, the matches, the impact he has on his team, and his influence make him a superb player," Hradecky, a Leverkusen professional, said: "It's gratifying to have a player like that in the Bundesliga."
Kane is the 10th English national player to have achieved the milestone of 100 international matches. At 31 years old, he presents a promising chance to surpass former goalkeeper Peter Shilton's record of 125 caps for the English national team.
Before kick-off, Kane was presented with a golden cap from Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole, fellow centurions of England's club. His two daughters were permitted on the field, donning England shirts with the number "100" and the name "Daddy."
Kane also commended interim coach Carsley for doing a "phenomenal job," mentioning that the team had "many freedoms" on the pitch. As vice-European champions, England, like Greece, who defeated Ireland 2-0, boasts six points in Group 2 of League B following two matches of the Nations League season. "Frankly, I'm baffled by England's presence in League B," Finland's captain Hradecky concluded.
Kane's impressive performance with the national team has earned him praise from fellow players, with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford calling it an honor to share the pitch with him. In the context of the Nations League, England's interim coach Lee Carsley highlighted Kane's significance in securing his first home win, praising his 67th and 68th international goals against Finland.
