Kane scores twice in 3-0 win over Czech Republic as Tuchel looks ahead to 2028 Euros
LONDON: England’s free-scoring start to the Nations League has begun to ease the pain of their World Cup exit, as coach Thomas Tuchel’s side set their sights on winning the 2028 European Championship, hosted by the UK and Ireland. Harry Kane scored twice at Wembley on Tuesday in a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic, taking England to 14 goals in four matches.
Kane matched Peter Shilton’s men’s appearance record of 125 caps on the night and took his international goal tally to 91. Tuchel had come into the extended international window needing to change the narrative after criticism of his defensive approach in the World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina. England lost 2-1 to Lionel Messi’s side in Atlanta after a late collapse, extending their wait for a major trophy beyond 60 years.
Their first Nations League match of the 2026/27 campaign, late last month, was a 3-2 defeat by world champions Spain. Kane missed a penalty with England 2-1 ahead, and Luis de la Fuente’s side might otherwise have suffered their first competitive defeat in more than three years.
Tuchel has said England were not starting from scratch after the World Cup. “There was a bit of criticism and skepticism around, (but) I said we don’t start new,” the German said after the win over the Czechs. “We played some high-level competitive football in the World Cup. Now we move to the next step.”
Kane and Jude Bellingham carried England to the last four in North America and have led again in the Nations League, complemented by wingers Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka, who have both been in strong form. Gordon was substituted after scoring the opening goal against Argentina, and Saka was not used off the bench in that semi-final.
Kane, who plays for Bayern Munich, will turn 35 shortly after Euro 2028 ends. He played down personal milestones. “I made it clear from earlier in my England career that to win a trophy with England would be the biggest honor of my career and any of our careers,” he said. “It’s been too long since we’ve won it. I think the fact that we’ve been extremely close over this recent period has made it even more of a target and made us want to taste it even more.”
Tuchel’s options look healthier than a few months ago. Declan Rice’s withdrawal from the September and October camp gave club teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott a chance in midfield, and James Trafford started in goal against Spain and the Czech Republic, giving Jordan Pickford competition for the place. Trent Alexander-Arnold returned at right-back after missing out on the World Cup, while Lewis Hall, also left out of the tournament squad, has played well at left-back.
A place in the Nations League quarter-finals in March is already practically assured, but a trip to Spain next month will test whether England have turned a corner. England have won just six of their past 16 matches against opponents ranked in FIFA’s top 10, leading to accusations that they are flat-track bullies. England have reached the finals of the past two European Championships but have not won a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup, which they won on home soil. — AFP