Kane double seals perfect World Cup qualification for England

England become just the fifth European team to qualify for a World Cup with a 100% record

World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group K - Albania v England - Air Albania Stadium, Tirana, Albania - Nov 16, 2025 England's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

England captain Harry Kane poached a late double as his side completed a record-setting World Cup qualification campaign with a hard-earned 2-0 victory away to Albania in Group K on Sunday.

It looked like England were set to drop their first points but Kane tapped home from close range in the 74th minute when Albania failed to deal with a corner.

He then made it 2-0 eight minutes later with a clinical header from substitute Marcus Rashford's deep cross.

In keeping a clean sheet Thomas Tuchel's side became the first European nation to qualify for a World Cup by winning all their games without conceding a goal in a group featuring at least six games.

England also became just the fifth European team to qualify for a World Cup with a 100% record after finishing Group K with a maximum 24 points from their eight games.

"It was a really tough game, probably one of the toughest we've had in the group," Kane, who has scored an astonishing 28 goals for club and country this season, told ITV Sport.

"We had to be patient, we had to grind them down and be defensively really solid. A 2-0 win and another clean sheet, we're really happy. It was an important win, you don't want to finish with a loss."

With their spot in North America long since guaranteed, Tuchel made a host of changes for the clash against a lively Albania side who will take their chances in the playoffs.

It proved a stern test for England but once again it was captain Kane who delivered when required to take his international tally to 78 from 112 games.