Kane Breaks Record as England Reach Nations League Quarter-Finals

Harry Kane led England to a 2-1 win over Croatia at Wembley in Matchday 3 of the UEFA Nations League A Group and secured the team's quarter-final place. Kane scored the winning goal from a penalty. Playing his 126th international match as captain, he became England's most-capped player. Surpassing Peter Shilton's record, Kane's international goal tally rose to 92.

Morgan Rogers scored England's first goal. Kane's long pass found Jude Bellingham, who cut inside, and Rogers pushed the ball past Josko Gvardiol, who could not clear it. Croatia then equalised through Petar Sucic, taking advantage of a weak backpass from Jarell Quansah. Quansah created a penalty situation when he pulled down Ivan Smolcic during an England corner, and Kane converted the chance.

England played much worse than in the 7-0 win over Croatia a month earlier. For long periods they could not raise the tempo and were ineffective in the final third. James Garner's goal was disallowed for offside. In the closing stages, chances for Nikola Vlasic and Ante Budimir also came to nothing. For Thomas Tuchel, the biggest positive was once again Kane carrying the team.

England face group leaders and world champions Spain in Madrid on Sunday. The team that finishes first in the group will be seeded in the quarter-final draw. Quarter-final ties will be played in March, and the winners of the two-legged ties will advance to the final tournament in June.