Albania vs England live: Kane brace secures perfect record in World Cup qualifiers | OneFootball

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Tuchel wants 'balanced' England squad at the World Cup

A late brace from Harry Kane secured a win for England against Albania in their final match of the qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup.

The visitors started well but faded as the first half went on, with Albania frustrating an experimental starting eleven that included Jarrod Bowen, Jarell Quansah and Adam Wharton.

The second half saw both sides spurn good chances but England began to pile on pressure, with substitutes including Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford helping the side to gain control before the former’s corner found Kane a couple of yards out, and the captain bundled in for his 77th England goal.

And Kane had time to score his 78th too, taking himself past Pele’s goal tally for Brazil with a header that secured eight wins from eight for Thomas Tuchel’s flawless Three Lions side.

Thomas Tuchel unimpressed as Jude Bellingham reaction takes shine off England win

It was the return that came with a rebuke. Jude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel are reunited but, for the second time in a few months, the England manager found fault with the resident superstar’s behaviour. This time, at least, he did not deem him “repulsive”. But the hint was that he had been too selfish. The way his comeback ended prompted Tuchel to criticise him again.

If England, already qualified for the World Cup, had little to play before besides a perfect record they sustained with an imperfect performance, Bellingham had plenty to gain, or indeed lose. A first start for his country since June could not be pronounced an unqualified success: not when Tuchel deemed his reaction to being removed egotistical.

Thomas Tuchel unimpressed as Jude Bellingham reaction takes shine off England win

As England completed a perfect World Cup qualifying campaign, Bellingham commanded the attention on his return: for better and worse

Albania 0-2 England

87 mins

Those goals seem to have taken the wind out of the Albania sails. Not a lot going on as the match approaches the final whistle, though Broja is now down and needs treatment.

Chris Wilson16 November 2025 18:46