Record-breaking Harry Kane shines as England thrash Latvia to book World Cup spot | OneFootball

England have booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after winning 5-0 at Latvia on Tuesday evening.

Manager Thomas Tuchel made two changes to the team that started in the win over Wales. Myles Lewis-Skelly replaced Marc Guehi, while Harry Kane came in for the injured Ollie Watkins.

England got off to a lightning start and thought they had taken the lead when Kane scored from close range inside two minutes but his goal was ruled offside.

The Bayern Munich striker then squandered a big chance, putting the ball wide from Anthony Gordon’s cross.

Gordon finally put the away side ahead in the 26th minute. The Newcastle United star received a pass from John Stones, cut inside before curling the ball into the bottom corner.

Kane missed a chance to double the Three Lions’ lead but made amends for his earlier misses before the end of the first half.

He made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute and scored another from the penalty spot in the first half stoppage time.

According to OptaJoe, Kane has now netted more than once in a game for England 13 times, surpassing Nat Lofthouse who did the same on 12 occasions.

The 32-year-old has also increased his goal tally to 45 in 41 major tournament qualifiers for England.

Latvia nearly pulled one back before the hour mark with two consecutive chances, but could not test Jordan Pickford in the England goal.

The hosts’ woes deepened in the 57th minute when Maksims Tonisevs committed an own goal to make it 4-0.

Four minutes from time, substitute Eberechi Eze put the icing on the cake for the Three Lions with a clinical low strike.

The win put England on 18 points, seven points clear of second-placed Albania with two games to spare, confirming their place in next year’s World Cup.