HARRY Kane scored twice in the second half as England beat Albania to complete a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign with eight wins from eight.
The Three Lions were already qualified as group winners and Thomas Tuchel made seven changes to the side that beat Serbia at Wembley on Thursday.
Alongside the changes to the starting XI, Tuchel made tactical tweaks with John Stones stepping into midfield whenever England were in possession but despite the victory it was not a vintage England performance.
Kane, who took his personal tally to 78 international goals, scored his first in the 74th minute when he bundled the ball in from close range from substitute Bukayo Saka’s corner before he headed in Marcus Rashford’s excellent cross eight minutes later.
It was not England’s best performance under Tuchel but they had chances to take the lead before Kane’s double with Jude Bellingham, Jarrod Bowen and Saka all going close.
Albania were in good form coming into this match themselves, unbeaten in their previous eight matches, and they had a good chance to take the lead but Arber Hoxha shot straight at Dean Henderson at the end of a counter-attack.
The win means that England have become the first European side to play at least six qualifiers and win them all without conceding.
Analysis: Tuchel’s well timed changes will be key going into World Cup
The line-up selected was the most Thomas Tuchel had experimented with a starting XI since he officially took charge of England on 1 January.
Debutant Jarell Quansah was just the seventh player to get a first cap under Tuchel across his 10 matches in charge.
The England manager has made a point of giving clarity to his players about who they are directly up against for a place in the team and this side, apart from the strong spine, showed who Tuchel currently sees as the number twos in their respective positions.
Jude Bellingham was making his first start for England since June following a shoulder injury. In his absence, Morgan Rogers’ impressive performances have seen an intriguing battle develop for the England number 10 role.
But again, it was Tuchel’s tactical acumen and his well-timed substitutions that saw England get another win in this impressive World Cup qualifying campaign.
Against Serbia, it was Eberechi Eze and Phil Foden who combined off the bench to score England’s second goal and this time it was Saka and Rashford who teed up Kane for his two goals.
England have missed out in recent major tournaments by fine margins and former manager Gareth Southgate was criticised for at times not making changes when some thought England needed them.
Tuchel has already shown in his club career that he can make decisions at crucial moments to win trophies and with England he is changing games with the array of attacking talent at his disposal from the bench.
