ENGLAND SET WORLD CUP RECORD AFTER BEATING ALBANIA 2-0

England have set an incredible World Cup record after their 2-0 victory over Albania in qualifying on Sunday.

Harry Kane scored two late goals as the Three Lions secured all three points in their final Group K match at Arena Kombeitare in Tirana.

Kane opened the scoring in the 74th minute after Bukayo Saka’s corner was flicked on by an Albanian player while Marcus Rashford provided the assist for the England captain’s second.

The result means England have become the first European nation to ever go an entire World Cup qualifying campaign of over six matches without conceding.

Thomas Tuchel’s side won all eight World Cup qualifiers, scoring 22 times with zero goals conceded.

Along with Albania, England beat Serbia, Lativa and Andorra home and away.

England player ratings from win over Albania

Dean Henderson – 7

Made a really important save around the 50th-minute mark to deny Arber Hoxha.

Nico O’Reilly – 7

Once again put in a strong performance at left-back. Myles Lewis-Skelly has got a job on his hands to force him out of the England XI. A real moment of quality on 70 minutes with a clever chipped ball setting up a chance.

John Stones – 7

Stones inverted into the midfield and left a back three when England had possession but it didn’t quite have the impact Tuchel would have hoped. Still pretty solid overall.

Jarell Quansah – 7

Still some room for improvement but the former Liverpool star will be pretty happy with that performance and the clean sheet.

Dan Burn – 7

Burn had 66 touches in that first half, 12 more than any other player. Guilty of a sloppy pass in the second half which nearly led to an Albania goal. Pulled it back after that and a pretty strong performance overall.

Declan Rice – 7

Not his worst game in an England shirt – but not his best either. Taken off just after the hour mark.

Adam Wharton – 7

An underwhelming first half from the Crystal Palace man, who probably needed to demand the ball more in deeper positions, and was shown a yellow card for a foul on Qazim Laci. Improved after the break, though.

Jude Bellingham – 7

Worked really hard defensively, with a number of important tackles. There were some moments of real attacking quality too – setting up Bowen for England’s best first-half chance and then teeing up Eze after the break. Should’ve scored on the hour mark but slipped. Booked on 80 minutes.

Jarrod Bowen – 7

England’s biggest threat in the first half and was unlucky not to score. Dipped a bit in the second half. Taken off in the 75th minute.

Harry Kane – 8

Quiet across the opening 45 minutes but crucially scored two late goals to win the match. Kane has now scored more goals against Albania than any other nation in his England career.

Eberechi Eze – 6

Not much to report from the first half, should have done better with a chance after the break to give England the lead. Taken off after 62 minutes.

Bukayo Saka – 7

Missed a couple chances but was involved in the opening goal, with the substitute’s corner flicked on by an Albanian player to Kane.

Marcus Rashford – 8

Only played for the last 15 minutes but provided the assist for Kane’s second goal and sent a message to Tuchel that he should be a starter for England.

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2025-11-16T19:51:57Z