HARRY KANE returned from injury with a bang as England confirmed their place at the 2026 World Cup with a 5-0 win over Latvia.
The 32-year-old, who missed the 3-0 victory over Wales last Friday, netted twice in Riga, with Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze also getting on the scoresheet.
The first of his brace was a powerfuls strike into the bottom-left corner.
That was followed by a composed penalty on the brink of half-time.
Both goals came after Gordon opened the scoring in the 26th minute.
Djed Spence created the fourth with a perfect cross which deflected in off the leg of Maksims Tonisevs for an own-goal.
And midfielder Eberechi Eze made it five with a strike from the edge of the box.
On a night to remember for England, SunSport’s Charlie Wyett rated the Three Lions’ performance.
JORDAN PICKFORD – 6
A ninth clean sheet which is some record but he was busier compared to some of the other qualifiers. He did make one decent save while Latvia actually created some other chances.
DJED SPENCE – 6
His versatility is a real advantage. Was the left-back at home to Wales before being switched to right-back for the game in Riga. Delivered the cross for the own goal which made it 4-0.
EZRI KONSA – 7
Moved into the centre to give Marc Guehi a rest and delivered a stunning tackle to deny Vladislavs Gutkovskis from scoring. It was world-class.
JOHN STONES – 7
He had not played for England for a year until these last two games. Delivered a stunning pass for the opening goal and he has to start for England.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 6
Only his sixth senior cap and still finding his way. Told to concentrate by Jordan Pickford after Latvia created a decent chance after England took the lead.
MORGAN ROGERS – 7
After a couple of terrific performances, this was a quieter game in the no 10 spot. One person who would probably have been happy with that was Jude Bellingham.
ELLIOT ANDERSON – 6
Looks to have cemented his place in England’s midfield even though this was only his fourth senior game. Not that it matters, but his shooting can be wild.
DECLAN RICE – 6
A 70th England cap for the Arsenal midfielder. Did not have to be at his best and Arsenal fans will have breathed a huge sigh of relief when he was subbed with 30 minutes left.
BUKAYO SAKA – 6
Won possession for the second goal and Kane had to hold off the Arsenal player to score. Delivered some trickery but was marked tightly.
ANTHONY GORDON – 7
Brilliantly-taken goal, his second for England in 16 appearances. Looks certain to be on that plane to the World Cup.
HARRY KANE – 8
Stuck the ball in the net after 40 seconds but was offside. Then grabbed his 85th and 86th goals in 110 appearances before the break. Worked tirelessly. What a player.
Read the full article here