Harry Kane’s brace saw England defeat Albania 2-0 in Tirana to complete an unbeaten 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign.
Kane fired England into a 74th-minute lead through a close-range finish from a corner-kick, before he doubled their lead with a 82nd-minute header from Marcus Rashford’s cross into the box which wrapped up their victory.
Albania now will prepare for UEFA’s play-offs in late March 2026, whilst England will play two friendlies against unannounced opposition at the same time.
With Albania assured of a play-off spot and England already qualified automatically for next summer’s World Cup, this game had little riding on it as Jude Bellingham chipped a second-minute shot over the top right corner for the Three Lions.
Declan Rice was the next England player to go close to the opening goal as he fired over the bar in the 16th minute, but Albania served up a scare just one minute later as Elseid Hysaj broke forward and rifled just over the top left corner.
Hysaj however was forced off in the 26th minute due to injury and Ivan Balliu came on for him as the first half became end-to-end with little clear-cut quality, aside from Jarrod Bowen’s deflected 36th-minute low strike and Jarell Quansah’s subsequent header for England.
Albania continued to make life difficult for England in the second half with Dean Henderson forced to punch away two shots in the space of a minute from Arber Hoxha, as the hosts pushed for the opening goal.
Eberechi Eze, Bellingham and substitute – Bukayo Saka saw chances denied as England continued to toll with little quality in their end product.
Albania’s defence eventually was penetrated through a 74th-minute corner which fell for Kane to bundle in from close range to put England in front, and on course to finish the group without dropping a point.
England however were dealt a 81st-minute scare after a free-kick from Albania was headed just over the bar by Berat Djimsiti.
Djimsiti’s wasted chance was punished barely a minute later as an England attack up the left fell for Rashford, whose cross was headed into the bottom left corner by Kane.
England eventually became just the third European team after Italy and Belgium to top their group in FIFA World Cup Qualifying without conceding, which capped a strong debut year for manager, Thomas Tuchel aside from their 3-1 friendly loss to Senegal in June.
Albania meanwhile were dealt a blow in the closing minutes after substitute, Armando Broja had to be stretchered off with a serious injury.
Teams
Albania: Thomas Strakosha, Elseid Hysaj (Balliu 26′), Ardian Ismajli, Berat Djimsiti, Naser Aliji, Qazim Laci (Pajaziti 84′), Kristjan Asllani, Yiber Ramadani, Nedim Bajrami (Broja 75′), Myrto Uzuni, Arber Hoxha
Substitutes: Arlind Ajeti, Jasir Asani, Ivan Balliu, Medon Berisha, Armando Broja, Klisman Cake, Mario Dajsinani, Mirlind Daku, Rey Manaj, Adrion Pajaziti, Simon Simoni, Indrit Tuci
England: Dean Henderson, Dan Burn, Jarell Quansah, John Stones, Nico O’Reilly, Jude Bellingham (Rogers 84′), Adam Wharton (Anderson 75′), Declan Rice (Foden 62′), Jarrod Bowen (Marcus Rashford 75′), Harry Kane, Eberechi Eze (Saka 62′)
Substitutes: Elliot Anderson, Trevoh Chalobah, Phil Foden, Jordan Henderson, Reece James, Jordan Pickford, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers, Bukayo Saka, Alex Scott, Djed Spence, James Trafford
Referee – Marco Guida
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