Kane on target as England cruise to victory in Albania

Harry Kane scored his first international goal in 16 months as England cruised to a 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Albania in Tirana.

Kane had not found the back of the net for his country since November 2019, but the captain opened the scoring with a first-half header at the Air Albania Stadium on Sunday. The striker then set up Mason Mount to double England's lead in the second half as the Group I leaders made it two wins out of two following their 5-0 hammering of San Marino on Thursday.

Kane and Phil Foden struck the woodwork in a dominant display from Gareth Southgate's side, with Nick Pope becoming the first goalkeeper not to concede a goal in his first six England games as second-placed Albania failed to register a shot on target.

 

March 28, 2021

Myrto Uzuni wasted a good chance to give Albania a shock 12th-minute lead on the break when he blazed over the crossbar after Mount gave the ball away.

England dominated possession on a substandard pitch but it was not until 32 minutes in that Kyle Walker had the first shot on target, which Etrit Berisha saved comfortably. Skipper Kane got the breakthrough eight minutes before half-time, though, getting in front of his marker to head the recalled Luke Shaw's cross into the far corner of the net.

Kane ought to have had a second soon after when he got on the end of Raheem Sterling's whipped cross but rattled the bar from close range.

England zipped the ball around with a swagger early in the second half and Berisha superbly tipped Foden's shot against the post after some tricky footwork from Sterling.

The Three Lions had their second goal after 63 minutes, Kane turning provider with a measured pass for Mount, who clinically lifted the ball over the advancing Berisha and into the back of the net.