England 5 (Maguire 9′, Kane 18′, 33′, 45+1, Henderson 28′) Albania 0
The soul-searching is over. The failed move to Manchester City, the grim Nuno Espirito Santo chapter, the rupture with the Spurs fans – all of that miserable autumn fall-out erased in 45 minutes of pure Harry Kane.
If the first two goals were routine, in-the-right place headers, the third reminded the world why Manchester City were prepared to bust the pay structure to get him. Finally, following a couple of near misses it came, Kane spearing a scissor-kick into the roof of the net on the stroke of half time.
The falling silhouette of Kane’s body told of what was to come, the arc of the ball as it exploded off his boot leaving no room for doubt. There is no better centre forward on earth when this fella gets his eye in. The goal put England five to the good without reply and took Kane alongside the late Jimmy Greaves on 44 international goals. Only Gary Lineker, Sir Bobby Charlton and Wayne Rooney have scored more.
Kane was not the only failing institution revived by Wembley’s clean air. His namesake Maguire had his best game of the season and Raheem Sterling set about the night like the best player in the playground, dribbling the opposition into oblivion.
Perhaps it helped that England were playing a rugby team, a group punctuated by lock forwards. Indeed it was a tackle by one such on Kane that almost halved the Spurs striker and yielded the free-kick buried eagerly by Maguire. The delivery from Reece James was pin sharp leaving Maguire needing only to live up to his “slab head” reputation to put England ahead.
The cupped eared celebration was presumably to answer critics of his recent form, though to show it to the youngsters packed behind the goal seemed a little ungenerous. Albania, feted for their home and away wins against Hungary, were utterly overwhelmed. Phil Foden missed the chance to double the lead inside 11 minutes, the adrenaline coursing through his erudite left peg sending the ball sailing over the bar.
It mattered little. A brilliant combination down the right between Foden and Jordan Henderson teed up Kane for another simple header. The only blot at this point was an errant back pass by the occasionally dozy Kyle Walker. He had Jordan Pickford to thank for palming away
Myrto Uzuni’s effort when a goal seemed certain.With Albania offering so little, the selection of James and Ben Chilwell in the wing back roles provided England with thrilling organisation, not to mention serious penetration. Albania’s hard ball tactics drew three bookings in the first 25 minutes and forced upon them two substitutions.
As if by clockwork Jordan Henderson planted the third nine minutes after the second, which followed the first by the same margin. It was another finely crafted work, Henderson exchanging passes with Kane on the edge of the box, rounding the defender and slotting home left-footed.
In five previous meetings, England ran up 14 goals for the loss of only one and winning on each occasion. With England in total command if felt like they might equal their goal tally in this one match alone. Sterling didn’t score but he was the author of much distress with his darting runs and duly played in Kane for England’s fourth in the 33rd minute.
England were playing beautifully. It is some time since they appeared this coherent. How much of this was down to their own agency or Albania’s failings will become apparent only over time. Kane missed what for him was a straightforward hat-trick chance after another surging run from James cleaved open the Albanian defence. The next opportunity would be along in minutes, this time Kane steering a diving header narrowly wide of goal. And then came the signature strike to end the half.
The half-time whistle inevitably broke the spell. The score softened the urgency with which England started the game. Kane and Foden made way to give Jack Grealish half an hour to further confuse the Albanian defence. Sterling made way with 13 minutes remaining to be replaced by Emile Smith Rowe, another beautiful youth from the increasingly fecund England talent factory. With Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold also involved it looked like Gareth Southgate might just be showing off.
The victory leaves England needing only a point against San Marino on Monday to qualify for the World Cup a year hence. Poland’s thumping of Andorra means at least gives material meaning to England’s final fixture until the spring.
If this was somehow vindication of Southgate’s vision it requires England to bring the same authority to bear in the closing stages of tournaments to prove that he might have been right all along. Gone was the aching passivity that cost England in the Euro final against Italy and the World Cup semi-final against Croatia. In its place genuine belief built on the towering presence of Harry Kane.
England player ratings
By Kat Lucas, i sports journalist
Pickford 7: Little to do but made an important save to deny Myrto Uzuni and easily collected another straight shot from Sokol Cikalleshi.
Kyle Walker 6: Should have had an equally quiet night, but once again put England in trouble with a dangerously short pass back to Pickford to allow Uzuni through on goal. Otherwise, he was composed on the right side of the back three.
Ben Chilwell 6: Held back on the left as Reece James marauded down the right – a little underwhelming in comparison.
Reece James 9: It was an exquisite delivery onto Harry Maguire’s goal for the first goal. Constantly caused Albania problems.
John Stones 7: Managed to keep Albania’s attackers at bay whenever called upon but a quiet night. Worrying scenes as he collided with James and required medical treatment after a clash of heads.
Harry Maguire 7: Made a couple of key interceptions. A goal against Albania probably won’t silence his critics as his celebration suggested.
Kalvin Phillips 7: Solid once again alongside Jordan Henderson and set the tempo in midfield.
Jordan Henderson 8: An inch-perfect cross for Kane’s header and went on an adventurous run from midfield before duping Albania’s centre-back to score one of his own.
Harry Kane 9: Overtook Wayne Rooney for competitive goals with his 37th, 38th and 39th for his country – Is he back? Whatever is to be said about the calibre of the opponent, a perfect hat-trick was the most complete he’s looked all season and while he had poor marking to thank, his volley was brilliantly executed. Only a couple of balls into Raheem Sterling that were too far behind him.
Raheem Sterling 8: Found himself in ludicrous amounts of space for his assist to Kane but he was lively enough to give Pep Guardiola food for thought.
Phil Foden 7: Enjoyably understated but played with freedom and added to England’s rhythm in attack.
Substitutes:
Tammy Abraham 6: Mistimed a couple of his runs but England had taken their foot off the gas by the time he came on.
Jack Grealish 6: Prompts mass hysteria whenever he gets the ball but similarly to his form at Manchester City, he didn’t do a lot wrong but didn’t inspire. Won a corner with a deflected shot.
Jude Bellingham 6: Looked to set up Trent Alexander-Arnold for the icing on the cake late on but should have attempted a shot himself.
Trent Alexander-Arnold 6: Had a lot to live up to after James’ display but again looked to experiment with his position, sometimes found in a more central role.
Emile Smith Rowe 7: Did not look remotely daunted by the occasion of his debut as he went on an ambitious run before being bundled off the ball
Have England qualified?
Not quite. Going into November’s international break, Southgate’s side needed four points from their two qualifiers against Albania and San Marino.
That means they need just a point against San Marino, the world’s lowest ranked side who have never won a competitive game.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3c5cS3d
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