FOOTBALL – England captain Harry Kane marked his 100th senior international appearance in trademark fashion with both goals in his team’s 2-0 victory over a feeble Finland side in Nations League Group B2 at Wembley last night.
The 31-year-old Bayern Munich striker, who received a golden cap before kickoff and sported a pair of dazzling golden boots, broke Finland’s gritty resistance with a dipping right-footed strike in the 57th minute.
At times it appeared to be a battle between Kane and Finland’s impressive keeper Lukas Hradecky on a wet London night with the stopper making several fine saves to deny the striker.
But a razor-sharp Kane beat Hradecky again in the 76th minute, sweeping in another right-footed effort to take his England tally to a record-extending 68.
Kane, who also had a first-half header ruled out for offside, was given a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 80th minute.
England’s win was their second under interim manager Lee Carsley after the away victory over Ireland on Saturday and puts them joint top of their Nations League group with Greece.
Meanwhile, Germany conceded a goal after 100 seconds but forced their way back to share the points as they drew 2-2 with the Netherlands in an entertaining Group A3 clash at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Deniz Undav scored on his first start for Germany and captain Joshua Kimmich netted the second for a 2-1 halftime lead after the Dutch grabbed an early goal through Tijjani Reijnders.
But the hosts recovered to equalise through Denzel Dumfries early in the second half in a game played at a quick tempo and with occasional flashes of temper to make it a spicy derby.
Germany top the standings, level on four points with the second-placed Netherlands, after both won their opening group games on Saturday. Bosnia, who are third, and Hungary in fourth place have a point apiece after they drew 0-0 in Budapest.
Greece’s Fotis Ioannidis scored his third goal in two games to help them make a perfect start to their Nations League campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win away to toothless Ireland.
Christos Tzolis added a late second with a fine run and finish as Group B2 leaders Greece took six points from their opening two matches. It was Ireland’s second defeat.
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