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.
Kick off! England 0-0 Finland
Finland get the ball rolling at Wembley with Glen Kamara kicking it back to goalkeeper Lucas Hradecky.
The ball is then booted over to the left wing but England win possession easily enough and switch the play out to Anthony Gordon on the opposite side of the pitch.
England vs Finland
Before the match kicks off Harry Kane is awarded a special golden cap. He becomes just the 10th man to receive one and it is an honour bestowed on those who have reached 100 appearances for England.
Next the national anthems are sung with Kane belting out the verse with gusto.
Kick off is up next...
England vs Finland
Here come the players.
Harry Kane leads out the Three Lions on what is his 100th appearance for the national team. He’s the leading goalscorer and the man desperate to win an international trophy.
The first aim will be to win this match tonight.
Lee Carsley explains why new roles for Cole Palmer and Phil Foden could give England more control
Lee Carsley believes England have to change their mindset to finally control midfield in elite international matches, hinting that he could even be willing to play Phil Foden or Cole Palmer in deeper roles. The interim manager insisted the country is producing players that can operate in that central area, despite long-term debate about the football culture producing proper No 6s.
Carsley was in a more expansive mood as he prepared for his second match as interim manager, against Finland at Wembley on Tuesday, insisting that the players shouldn’t call him “boss”. While he revealed he did speak to predecessor Gareth Southgate before taking the role, he also stated that he has only noticed slight changes in his life – like people telling him to pick certain players when at service stations.
Lee Carsley hints at new roles for Cole Palmer and Phil Foden to give England control
Carlsey is convinced that the absent pair can help England take control of top-tier international matches after their struggles against Spain in the Euro 2024 final
England vs Finland
Bukayo Saka completed six dribbles against Republic of Ireland last time out; his most in a single game for England to date (41st appearance).
Saka’s six completed dribbles accounted for half of his team’s total (6/12), as well as being more than Republic of Ireland’s players combined (5).
England vs Finland
Teemu Pukki has been directly involved in 12 goals in 18 appearances in the Nations League (eight goals and four assists), at least three times as many as any other player for Finland in the competition (Robin Lod, 4).
England vs Finland
Harry Kane will make his 100th appearance for England, which would see him become just the tenth player to reach a century of games for the men’s team, and first since Wayne Rooney in November 2014.
Only two players have scored in their 100th game for the Three Lions, with Rooney doing so versus Slovenia (2014) and Sir Bobby Charlton netting versus Northern Ireland in April 1970.
Pre-match thoughts from Lee Carsley
England’s interim manager Lee Carsley spoke to ITV before kick off and touched on the changes he’s made for this evening’s match.
He said: “It’s important we look forward to playing at home. Hopefully we can give the fans something good to see.
“Hopefully Angel Gomes will control the game and dictate the play. I have a lot of confidence in him. I have played Rico Lewis as left-back before and I have a lot of confidence.
“Jack Grealish and Anthony Gordon were excellent the other night. They get you up the pitch.”
England vs Finland
Lee Carsley’s first game in charge of England was a 2-0 victory over Republic of Ireland, while the last manager to win his first two competitive games was Fabio Capello in 2008.
Indeed, the only managers to win their first two competitive fixtures without conceding a goal are Steve McClaren (2006), Ron Greenwood (1977) and Joe Mercer (1974).
England vs Finland
Finland lost 0-3 against Greece in their previous outing, marking the second consecutive competitive match that they’ve lost by 3+ goals (1-4 v Wales previously).
This is the first time they’ve lost back-to-back competitive games by at least three goals since October-November 1989 (1-6 v Germany, 0-3 v Netherlands).
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