LONDON — Harry Kane marked his record-equalling 125th England appearance with two goals in a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic at Wembley on Tuesday, offering head coach Thomas Tuchel a clear sign of progress after England's painful World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina in Atlanta. The victory was part of a four-game Nations League slate during the extended international break that also included a 7-0 win in Croatia, as Tuchel looks to rebuild after heavy criticism of his defensive tactics in that semi-final defeat.
Kane, 33, remains irreplaceable as captain and centerpiece. His double took him to 91 England goals, 38 ahead of Wayne Rooney, who is second with 53 goals in 120 games, and equalled Peter Shilton's record of 125 caps. With Kane still fully fit and in his prime, he is now positioned to become the first player to score 100 goals for England. The milestone follows Kane's march toward the cap record that has framed Tuchel's early Nations League tenure.
Tuchel now presides over a front four that can threaten any side in world soccer. Kane is the peerless spearhead, flanked by Anthony Gordon — who scored in three Nations League games against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia before being rested at Wembley — and Bukayo Saka, rejuvenated after an Achilles injury hampered him at the World Cup and fresh off two goals in Croatia. Gordon, a creator with burning pace since joining Barcelona from Newcastle, and Saka provide width and speed, while Jude Bellingham, 23, England's player of the year, operates just behind them with world-class quality. Chelsea's Cole Palmer withdrew from the squad and has seen others cement places ahead of him, including Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White, who cut short a family holiday to join after being excluded initially, while Chelsea's Morgan Rogers and Liverpool's 18-year-old Rio Ngumoha add further depth.
Midfield has provided both encouragement and setback. Bournemouth's Alex Scott, 23, slipped seamlessly into the side on debut in the 7-0 win in Croatia with powerful running and a complete range of passing, but a thigh injury ruled him out against the Czech Republic and Bournemouth fear he will be sidelined for two months. His emergence highlighted Tuchel's options even with Arsenal's Declan Rice out as his load is managed after injury. "Is Declan still for me a fixed point in my team? Yes, but some other players are coming and impressing and it's an ongoing competition," Tuchel said. Manchester City's £116m summer purchase from Nottingham Forest, Elliot Anderson, continues to build after a good World Cup, Arsenal's 20-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly has been given opportunities in central midfield, and Everton's James Garner has featured as a big admirer of Tuchel, who called him England's "mini Valverde" in a tongue-in-cheek reference to Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde. Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo pulled out injured, while Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton has been unable to force his way into Tuchel's plans.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has also forced his way back into contention. The 27-year-old Real Madrid right-back was excluded from the World Cup squad amid questions over his defense, after Tuchel left him out of World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in August 2025 and said: "If he wants to have this impact in the English national team then he has to take the defensive part very, very seriously. Because when we are talking, especially about qualifying football, and then tournament football, the one defensive error, the one moment where you are not 100% awake, can be decisive. It can be the moment where you pack your suitcases and go home." Recalled for the four Nations League games, Alexander-Arnold made his first start under Tuchel — his first since scoring in the Nations League win in Finland in October 2024 — against the Czech Republic and delivered a performance that demands continued inclusion.