Harry Kane’s brace on his 125th international appearance helped England defeat Czech Republic 3-0 at Wembley Stadium, London, in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League.
Vladimir Coufal’s 27th-minute own-goal from Kane’s cross put England in front, before the captain doubled the hosts’ lead with a 40th-minute finish of Morgan Rogers’ low volley cross.
Kane then wrapped up victory with a 57th-minute header from Lewis Hall’s corner-kick, and speaking to ITV post match he was pleased with the win.
“Yeah it was the perfect night for me personally and also the team. It’s been a tough camp and it’s been nice to finish it off at Wembley, a really proud evening for sure.
“You saw some fantastic football from England out there today. As a striker you’re looking for those opportunities.”
England remain second in League A3 and three points behind leaders, Spain after the world champions claimed a 2-1 comeback victory away in Split against Croatia.
Having warned fans not to expect “a similar performance” to England’s 7-0 away win over Croatia, Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions almost took a fifth-minute lead through Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick towards the left corner but Lukas Hornicek crucially punched the shot behind.
England continued to pile on the pressure as Elliot Anderson fired a 16th-minute shot over the bar, as Czech Republic mounted a resiliently deep defensive block.
Czech Republic’s efforts eventually were undone in the 27th minute as Kane on his 125th senior international appearance whipped a cross across the box from the right flank, which was helplessly lashed by Coufal into his own net off his left foot.
England continued to lack a polished final touch despite Coufal’s blunder until Anderson bent a 40th-minute cross over to the right flank, where Rogers was alert to volley a low cross into the box which Kane duly swept into the left corner to double the hosts’ lead at half time.
Kane then struck the crossbar in the 53rd minute but four minutes later, he completed his brace with a header from Hall’s cross.
England subsequently controlled the game to its conclusion but were lucky not to concede in the 79th minute, after Roma n Macek met a cutback pass which he fired wide of his near left corner.
What’s Next?
England resume their group campaign on Thursday 12 November at home to Croatia at Wembley Stadium, London, in a 7:45pm GMT kick-off, which is followed by a blockbuster trip to Spain on Sunday 15 November to conclude the group in a potential top-of-table decider.
Czech Republic will simultaneously be in action on the above dates as they host Spain in Prague on 12 November, before visiting Croatia in Osijek.
Teams
England: Jordan Pickford, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Marc Guehi (Branthwaite 63′), Lewis Hall (Gibbs-White 72′), Elliot Anderson (Garner 63′), Myles Lewis-Skelly, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham (Ngumoha 73′), Eberechi Eze, Harry Kane (Calvert-Lewin 82′)
Substitutes: Jarrad Branthwaite, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Trevoh Chalobah, James Garner, Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Gordon, Rico Lewis, Rio Ngumoha, Bukayo Saka, Jason Steele, James Trafford,
Czech Republic: Lukas Hornicek, Vladimir Coufal (Kricfalusi 84′), Robin Hranac, Martin Vitik, Jiri Slama (Zmrzly 68′), Alex Kral, Pavel Sulc, Michal Sadilek (Macek 68′), Lukas Ambros (Hlozek 58′), Ryan Naderi, Ondrej Lingr (Radosta 46′)
Substitutes: Paval Bucha, Adam Hlozek, Antonin Kinsky, Matej Kovar, Ondrej Kricfalusi, Roman Macek, Matej Radosta, Vaclav Sejk, Michal Sacek, Daniel Vasulin, Ondrej Zmrzly, Martin Subert
Referee – Serdar Gozubuyuk (Netherlands)
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