Four things we learnt as England beat Albania following brace from Harry Kane

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 16/11/2025

- 18:53

GB News sports editor Jack Otway takes a look at Sunday night's showdown

England finished their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 100 per cent record following a 2-0 win over Albania on Sunday.

The Three Lions went into the clash with many expecting them to blow their opposition away.


However, England were surprisingly subdued away in Albania, with a late brace from Harry Kane eventually enough to secure all three points.

GB News now takes a look at four things we learnt from the game.

England's record in their last five major tournaments

England's record in their last five major tournaments

|

PA/GETTY

Tuchel goes back on his word

Harry Kane

Harry Kane scored twice as England beat Albania on Sunday night

|

GETTY

Earlier this week, Tuchel suggested that he wouldn't ever go with Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane all in his attack.

With the Three Lions needing a goal, however, the England manager decided to go with the attack-minded trio after all.

Unfortunately, that decision failed to pay off.

England were subdued throughout the contest and their performance will be a concern as next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico creeps closer.

Dean Henderson impresses between the sticks

Dean Henderson

Dean Henderson was impressive between the sticks as England beat Albania

|

GETTY

Tuchel opted to go with Dean Henderson in goal for the World Cup qualifier.

And the Crystal Palace star was composed and assured at the back, producing the type of performance that fans at Selhurst Park have long been used to.

Henderson showed quality in the second half when he executed a perfectly-timed tackle, having come sprinting out of his box.

Jordan Pickford is still expected to be England's No 1 going forward - but Henderson has boosted his credentials with today's performance.

Kane is King

Harry Kane

Harry Kane celebrates his first goal for England against Albania

|

GETTY

If England are to finally secure World Cup glory, Kane will be vital.

The Bayern Munich hitman has been nothing short of sensational for his club and his winner against Albania was proof of his predatory instincts inside the box.

Kane tapped home from close range, doing what the likes of Bellingham and Eberechi Eze could not, before netting a superb header following a pinpoint delivery from Marcus Rashford.

The veteran now has 78 goals to his name for the Three Lions - 25 more than Wayne Rooney, who is second on England's scoring list.

Still plenty of work to do

England will be delighted at maintaining their 100 per cent record in qualifying.

There is, however, still plenty of work to do if they're to go all the way in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.

England must perform better than this. They were woeful in the first half and only fractionally better after the interval.

Tougher teams will exploit their weaknesses and their subdued performance certainly left much to be desired.