Internationals – Kane hits four as England emphatically secure World Cup spot

Records tumbled as Harry Kane bettered his first-half hat-trick against Andorra on Friday night with FOUR goals in 15 minutes during England’s 10-0 demolition of San Marino on Monday evening.

Needing just a point to secure qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Three Lions were rampant on the road and were already 2-0 up by the time skipper Harry converted a 27th-minute penalty to open his account for the evening.

The striker went on to score three more times, including another spot-kick, to put his side 6-0 ahead by the 42nd minute, setting a new record of 13 goals in a calendar year for England.

He also became the first player to score a hat-trick in consecutive games for the Three Lions since 1957 and the fourth overall to do so, after ex-Spur Vivian Woodward, Dixie Dean and Tommy Taylor.

That’s in addition to being the first to score four goals in a game for England since Ian Wright in 1993, also against San Marino.

His latest haul takes him level with Gary Lineker on 48 England goals – only Sir Bobby Charlton (49) and Wayne Rooney (53) have scored more, although Harry has done it in nearly half the amount of caps. Rooney played 120 times for England, Charlton 106, whereas Harry has reached his current mark in only 67 appearances. Lineker reached Harry’s total in 80 games.

Rooney’s previous exploits meant Manchester United usurped our record for most goals scored by one club’s players in total for England a few years ago, but after Harry’s quadruple against San Marino, we’re now back level with United – both clubs’ players have supplied 250 goals for the Three Lions, almost of fifth of ours having come from Harry.

Gareth Southgate’s men went on to hit double figures on Monday night for the first time since 1964 and the first time ever in a competitive game as they finished top of Group I in European World Cup qualifying with 26 points from their 10 matches, six points ahead of second-placed Poland.

Harry played 63 minutes in total before being replaced by Reece James.

Elsewhere on Monday, young goalkeeper Isak Solberg’s Norway Under-19s followed up on Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Slovakia by beating Czech Republic 4-1 at a friendly tournament in Marbella.

Sunday night’s action saw Republic of Ireland conclude their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 victory in Luxembourg.

Matt Doherty completed the bulk of the game before being substituted for on-loan Troy Parrott in the 90th minute as Ireland finished above their hosts in third place in Group A on goal difference.

Another loanee, Pape Matar Sarr, came on in the 78th minute of Senegal’s 2-0 home win over Congo. Senegal had already qualified for the play-offs in the African section prior to the game.

Tuesday’s fixtures

Matthew Craig and Michael Craig - Scotland Under-19s European Under-19 Championship qualifier against Croatia in Croatia - kick-off 11am
Thimothee Lo-Tutala - France Under-19s European Under-19 Championship qualifier against Serbia in Albania - kick-off 1pm
Oliver Skipp - England Under-21s away friendly against Georgia - kick-off 2pm
Heung-Min Son - South Korea away 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Iraq - kick-off 3pm
Nile John and Dane Scarlett - England Under-19s European Under-19 Championship qualifier against Sweden in Sweden - kick-off 5pm
Steven Bergwijn - Netherlands home 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Norway - kick-off 7.45pm
Ben Davies and Joe Rodon - Wales home 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Belgium - kick-off 7.45pm
Hugo Lloris - France away 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Finland - kick-off 7.45pm
Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero / Emerson Royal - Argentina home 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Brazil - kick-off 11.30pm
Maksim Paskotsi - Estonia away 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Czech Republic - kick-off 7.45pm
Davinson Sanchez - Colombia home 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Paraguay - kick-off 11pm
Will Andiyapan - Wales Under-17s European Under-17 Championship qualifier against Kazakhstan in Portugal - kick-off 3pm