England v Finland LIVE: Nations League result as Harry Kane scores twice on 100th appearance
England 2-0 Finland: Two goals from the captain were enough for Lee Carsley’s team to secure a second win of the autumn international break
England continued their winning streak under interim manager Lee Carsley as they backed up their victory over the Republic of Ireland with a 2-0 win against Finland at Wembley.
The Three Lions impressed in the first half in Dublin with a free-flowing and agressive style of play but here they were frustrated trying to break through a low block though Anthony Gordon was a bright spark on the left side especially when combining with Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis.
Harry Kane, making his 100th appearance for England tonight, thought he’d opened the scoring with a fine header from Bukayo Saka’s cross but the goal was chalked off for offside resulting in a goalless first 45 minutes.
But, Kane broke the deadlock with a blistering second half strike. He added a second after being fed the ball in the box by substitute Noni Madueke and capped off a night to remember with another superb win.
Relive all the updates from the Nations League match between England and Finland below.
England 1-0 Finland
69 mins: Oh my. Madueke’s introduction has been a lively one. His first involvement sees him dance in from the right and take a shot that gets deflected into the arms of Lucas Hradecky.
Then, a couple of minutes later, Eze floats a pass over the top which Madueke nods down towards Kane only to get flagged offside.
England 1-0 Finland
66 mins: The Finnish set piece is a unique one and gets whipped low towards the box. England read it early, recover the ball and send Anthony Gordon sprinting away on the counter attack. He’s brought down and England win a free kick.
That’s Gordon’s last act of the evening as he, and Bukayo Saka, are taken off with Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze brought on to replace them.
Madueke is making his England debut tonight.
England 1-0 Finland
63 mins: England need to remain switched on. Finland will start to push out and try to get higher up the pitch as they’re now chasing the game.
The visitors win a free kick inside England’s half and have a good chance to work the ball into the box.
Richard Jolly reporting from Wembley:
“Harry Kane marked his big night in the most fitting fashion.
“The finish - rising as it flew past Lukas Hradecky - felt right: Kane has been a wonderful finisher, a nice guy with a ruthless streak in front of goal.
“Unsurprisingly, his goal brought the loudest cheer of the night. It was also a reward for England for an improved performance in the first 15 minutes after the interval.”
England 1-0 Finland
60 mins: That was just what England needed. Harry Kane has been hungry for that goal all evening and will be over the moon to have scored on his 100th appearance.
With the Three Lions now in front Lee Carsely makes a changes and takes Ezri Konsa off, replacing him with Levi Colwill.
GOAL! England 1-0 Finland (Harry Kane, 57’)
57 mins: Finland’s goalkeeper is having a superb night. Anthony Gorodn is slipped into the box by Jack Grealish and has a shot stopped but Lucas Hradecky.
England keep up the pressure but the goalkeeper denies Harry Kane and pushes the ball to the right. England aren’t done though. They recycle it for another go and feed it back to the captain.
Kane touches it into the box then smashes a right-footed effort into the top of the net! Finally England have their goal.
England 0-0 Finland
54 mins: Jack Grealish is brought down just outside the penalty area as England work the ball across the box. it comes out to Declan Rice who shoots and sees the shot pushed wide.
The referee pulls play back for the foul and Harry Kane sets the ball. He fizzes it at goal but Lucas Hradecky leaps to the right and punches it away!
England 0-0 Finland
51 mins: England are currently down to 10-men as Konsa receives some treatment off the pitch. They control it well enough and keep possession with Rice slotting in at the vacant centre-back position.
Konsa comes back on and his injury doesn’t seem too bad.
England 0-0 Finland
48 mins: Jack Grealish brings the ball forward and gives it to Declan Rice who returns the favour once Grealish heads into the area. Tha Man City forward looks to thread a pass through to Harry Kane but Finland intercept and clear.
Ezri Konsa has gone down off the ball and is in need of treatment.
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