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Harry Kane’s late brace sealed England’s perfect World Cup qualifying run under Thomas Tuchel, with eight wins, no goals conceded, and historic records.
England to a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign (AP)
Harry Kane capped off England’s flawless World Cup qualifying campaign with a late brace in their 2-0 victory over Albania on Sunday.
Kane’s two goals in the closing stages sealed Thomas Tuchel’s historic achievement in Tirana.
With an eighth consecutive Group K victory, England became the first European team to complete a World Cup qualifying campaign of at least six matches with a 100 per cent record and no goals conceded.
They are the first European side to achieve this since Germany in 2018.
England have not lost a World Cup qualifier in 39 games since a 1-0 defeat to Ukraine in 2009.
They scored 22 goals and conceded none on their perfect path to next year’s tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Spain and Norway, like England, are yet to concede a goal and have also won all their qualifiers, with one game remaining for both teams.
England’s run of 10 consecutive competitive wins without conceding a goal matches Spain’s European record.
The Three Lions also end 2025 with their highest win percentage in a calendar year since 1946 – nine victories from 10 games under Tuchel, with only a friendly loss to Senegal in June marring the record.
Three Lions Beat Albania
“Nice match. I love it. Today was difficult, emotional. We were full in control, then suddenly lost some control and had to overcome difficult moments,” Tuchel said.
“I felt we were invested but also it was difficult to break them down. It needed one little moment, a set piece or a moment of magic, to open the match.
“So much good stuff and quality to see the game out. Everyone is happy and they fully deserved it.”
Tuchel began his tenure with a 2-0 win against Albania in March, and the same opponents bookended a memorable first year for the German manager.
Although England secured their World Cup place in October, they remained focused under Tuchel’s guidance, defeating Serbia on Thursday and overcoming a resolute Albania.
More challenging tests await at the World Cup, but Tuchel has turned around a sluggish start to his reign, instilling genuine belief that England can win a major trophy for the first time since 1966.
By the time they return to action with two friendlies in March, Tuchel will know England’s World Cup opponents after the draw in Washington on December 5.
Tuchel made seven changes, bringing Jude Bellingham back into the starting line-up for the first time since June after using him as a substitute against Serbia.
Despite enjoying over 70 per cent possession, England struggled to break down an Albanian side on an eight-match unbeaten run, their best in 15 years.
Sylvinho’s combative team nearly took a shock lead when Elseid Hysaj curled a shot just over from the edge of the area.
Left out of the October internationals, Bellingham had a point to prove to Tuchel as he competes for a starting spot at the World Cup after Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers impressed in his absence.
The Real Madrid midfielder’s contribution was inconsistent until he drove forward to set up Jarrod Bowen for a low strike that Thomas Strakosha pushed around the post.
Kane mentioned on Saturday that England aim to develop an NFL-style playbook to maximise set-pieces at the World Cup.
Appropriately, the England captain, a known NFL fan, scored from a set-piece in the 74th minute.
Bukayo Saka’s corner was flicked into the six-yard box, and Kane tapped in after Strakosha failed to gather.
The Bayern Munich striker added another goal in the 82nd minute, bringing his tally to 78 goals in 112 appearances for England.
Marcus Rashford’s cross was perfectly weighted for Kane to head past Strakosha from five yards, concluding England’s campaign on a high note.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
Tirana, Albania
November 17, 2025, 08:19 IST
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