Harry Kane marked his record 126th England men’s appearance with the winning penalty as England beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley and secured a place in the Nations League quarter-finals.
Morgan Rogers put the hosts ahead in the 24th minute, Petar Sucic equalised in the 59th, and Kane restored England’s lead from the spot five minutes later. The FA’s match centre confirmed the final score and scoring sequence.
The match was played on Thursday, November 12. Kane’s landmark and the knockout-stage place gave the night significance beyond a narrow home win, although England still had work to do after letting their first-half lead slip.
Kane passes Shilton on a winning night
Kane moved clear of Peter Shilton’s 125 appearances to become the England men’s team’s record appearance maker. The FA had announced a pre-match presentation to recognise the milestone, with Shilton due to take part.
The record is specifically for the men’s senior team, rather than all England international football. Kane then supplied the decisive goal, converting the second-half penalty after Croatia had brought the match level.
England recover after Croatia’s equaliser
Rogers’ opener came from a Jude Bellingham assist, according to BBC Sport’s match coverage. It gave England a 1-0 lead at the break, but Sucic’s goal changed the balance early in the second half.
Kane’s 64th-minute penalty ensured that the equaliser did not become a dropped-points story. England finished with the win they needed to settle qualification before the last group match.
For Croatia, this was a closer contest than the 7-0 defeat in the reverse fixture. That improvement did not produce a point at Wembley, where England’s response after conceding was decisive.
Quarter-final place secured, group campaign continues
BBC Sport confirmed England’s qualification for the last eight. That does not mean they have won the group: reaching the quarter-finals and deciding the final group order are separate outcomes.
England next face Spain away on Sunday, November 15. With their quarter-final place secured, Thomas Tuchel’s side can approach that match without needing it to settle whether they advance.
Final score: England 2-1 Croatia. Goals: Rogers 24, Kane 64 penalty; Sucic 59.
Cover photo: Harry Kane with Bayern Munich at the Salzburg friendly on January 6, 2025. Archival image, not the England-Croatia match or the caps presentation. Photo: Werner100359 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped, resized and compressed; adapted image shared under the same licence.
