Some things are inevitable in life. Harry Kane to deliver for England is always one of those inevitable. In his momentous and historic match, he stuck to the script perfectly.
In his 125th cap, Kane did what Kane does best under the Wembley arch – stealing the show, leading the way, winning the match for England.
Everyone knew he was going to score in this game. It’s the same feeling you have ANY match. But he still makes waves.
“I think this is beyond my wildest dreams,” he said after the game. “To be 125 now, it’s just an extreme privilege.”
This match – and the three goals he contributed to England’s cause on his special night – was a perfect summation of Harry Kane’s England career.
The first goal saw him come out on the right wing, highlighting Kane’s ability to get anywhere on the pitch. Center back, outside wide, it doesn’t matter. It’s classic Kane.
But his two goals were classic centre-forward strikes. Right in the heart of the penalty area, almost a throwback to the classic number 9.
“He’s playing at a level that’s second to none,” Jude Bellingham said on Kane’s record-breaking night. “He’s scoring goals for fun, he’s dropping deep and playing back passes and contributing, taking shots and everything. He’s just getting better.”
What makes Kane’s achievement even more incredible is that he has reached 125 caps despite making his England debut at the age of 21. For a generational talent in the modern game, that’s somewhat rare. Bellingham, for example, was 17 when he played his first game.
Kane didn’t have the teenage sensation moment that Wayne Rooney or Michael Owen had. Bukayo Saka and Rio Ferdinand were also 19 on their England debuts. Declan Rice and Phil Foden were 20 years old. Kane was the slow starter who worked his way up the EFL and became a national hero.
And what follows is 125 appearances in 11 years. The remarkable consistency is summed up by its availability. He is always there for England.
In England’s last 101 competitive games – spanning a decade – Kane has been available for selection for all but one of them: the Nations League defeat to Greece in 2024.
Every other game, he has been able to be called upon for the Three Lions. A century of near-constant performances in England over a decade.
“Of course there are times when I’ve played through the pain,” he said. “I think every player at a certain stage has to deal with pain, teasing or some kind of injury.
“I think the last six years or so I’ve been extremely consistent in that sense and I’ve been available. I think availability is one of the greatest strengths you can have at this level.”
Now it is important to acknowledge that Kane was not always 100 per cent fit in those 100 games. The Euro 2024 campaign and last spring in mind where he was clearly carrying something but playing through the pain.
Kane has not always been 100 per cent fit during his 125 appearances
But his predecessor at England’s elite level in Rooney was riddled with injury sagas throughout his career – Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup in particular.
The primary image of his highlight reel at the 2010 World Cup was him shouting from the TV cameras to the England fans, then he faded from form in 2012, 2014 and 2016 – to the point where he was no longer the main man. Kane has shown the consistency that Rooney never could.
Now Rooney, Owen and Co were part of another generation where playing for England was not as attractive as it is now. Regular appearance for international duty was not that common, with the ‘club first culture’ well documented at many levels.
But then again, Kane’s big night came on the same evening as Cristiano Ronaldo revealed his reasons for leaving the Portugal camp. Even the best can easily leave the national team for any reason. Kane has never given a glimpse of this attitude in his 11 years.
“To reach the top level on a consistent basis, you always have to be hungry, you always have to strive for more,” he said.
“I think sometimes players or people can get to the top and think it’s time to take the foot off the gas and then you see players can fall.
“For me it’s the opposite. When I’m in charge I have to do even more, find even more improvement. That’s what I’m doing now.”
Kane is the exemplary player England need for this generation – but all that remains is for him to confirm his place as the greatest player in any generation.
Is he already England’s best? Most likely. The record appearance maker and goalscorer is hard to stand up and argue against. But the only thing Ronaldo, Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore have on him is silverware at international level. “Of course I would trade it all (matches and goals) to win something with England.”
Kane still needs silverware at the top of the international game
But Kane also said: “Every player has a ceiling.” What is his? Has he already achieved it? “I hope not. I hope there’s still work to be done. I think only time will tell, where everybody’s ceiling is.
“Right now I feel like I still have room to improve. I’m just saying I’m coming off my best season ever at 32 and now I feel in an even better place.”
There’s still a lot to take in. Kane first aims to reach 100 goals at international level, joining a very elite club of strikers to manage that feat. He will surely get there.
“I try not to think about it too much,” he said with a sense of humility. “It’s like being a cricketer in the 90s, the more you think about the 100, you don’t know where you’re going to get there.
But in this all-time great – as well as the next Ballon D’Or trophy, which he surely has more than half a chance of – lifting a first major international trophy since 1966 is the ultimate prize.
Kane has at least one more bite at the trophy cherry. He looks set to feature at Euro 2028 and is likely to squeeze in one last crack at the World Cup after this summer’s disappointment.
“I’m in great shape. “Some of the players I played with went into their late 30s and are still at the top level and are in their 40s now. It’s season after season with me.
“As long as I feel like I can help the team and be valuable to the team I’ll be around. Right now I feel like I can’t help the team, I won’t and that’s the way I am. We’ll have to see.”
For now, one message stays with Kane. “Don’t give yourself any regrets.” He’s done a lot – but it’s time for the last, big challenge. Win it all. Earn what’s left.
