Under the Wembley lights, Harry Kane reached a number that had stood alone for 36 years. England’s captain made his 125th international appearance against the Czech Republic in the Nations League, drawing level with Peter Shilton as the most-capped player in Three Lions history.
The move
Kane, 33, started Tuesday’s match at Wembley and played a decisive part in England taking the lead, with Vladimir Coufal turning the ball into his own net after pressure from the Bayern Munich forward.
The occasion brought Kane back to the stadium where his England story began. More than 11 years earlier, he made his senior debut against Lithuania in a 4-0 win at Wembley in 2015, scoring on his first appearance.
Before the Czech Republic fixture, Kane said he still felt the weight of representing his country.
“It is always special, even simply walking onto the pitch and seeing the stadium, with all the excitement around what is coming,” he said. “I try never to take it for granted. Tonight is clearly a special occasion, but as always we have to focus on the job.”
Shilton, now 77, had held the appearance record since 1990 and sent Kane a video message of congratulations. The former England goalkeeper predicted that Kane would take the record outright in November, when England host Croatia on 12 November before travelling to Spain three days later.
“I am sure you will beat it in November,” Shilton said. “You could even set a record that will never be passed. You remain in excellent form, playing well and scoring goals. I know the dedication and work you have put into achieving this.”
A record-chaser with the goals already secured
Kane has already claimed England’s all-time scoring record, with 89 goals, having moved beyond Wayne Rooney. He also passed Rooney as England’s most-capped outfield player during the World Cup earlier this year.
His World Cup scoring record has been built in similar fashion. Kane equalled Gary Lineker’s England mark of 10 goals in the competition with two against Croatia in a 4-2 victory, then moved clear with a goal in a 2-0 win over Panama. He ended that tournament with 14 World Cup goals for England.
One more appearance will now make Kane England’s outright record holder. The number that belonged to Shilton for decades is within reach of a forward who began his international career at Wembley with a goal and returned there to stand alongside him.
