Harry Kane scores twice as England beat Czech Republic 3-0

England beat Czech Republic 3-0 at Wembley, driven by a brilliant performance from Harry Kane in his record-equalling 125th appearance. The captain scored twice and set his side on course for a win that brings the quarter-finals closer.

The opener came from a Kane cross that Czech defender Vladimir Coufal turned into his own net. England then missed a chance to extend their lead when Elliot Anderson fired over. Five minutes before the break, Kane finished a flowing move started by Anderson and continued by Morgan Rogers, who found his captain in space. The Wembley crowd laughed as replays showed Coufal’s unfortunate intervention.

After the restart, Kane came close to a second when his shot struck the bar, following an attack begun by Myles Lewis-Skelly. He eventually scored with a header from Lewis Hall’s delivery, then went off for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to a standing ovation. Trent Alexander-Arnold had also forced Hornicek to tip a free-kick over the Czech wall.

The result came as Spain beat Croatia 2-1 with a late comeback to move top of the group. Even so, England are all but assured of reaching the quarter-finals: one point from their last two matches is enough to qualify. Thomas Tuchel’s side also end the lengthy international break with three wins from four matches and 14 goals scored.