Kane hits hat-trick to put England on brink of reaching World Cup
ENGLAND
5 Maguire 9, Kane 18, 33, 45, Henderson 28
Harry Kane scored a first-half hat-trick as England all but secured World Cup qualification with a five-star display against Albania.
A first sell-out Wembley crowd in two years witnessed a one-sided final home match of a memorable year in which England went agonisingly close to winning the European Championship.
The Euro 2020 runners-up will get another shot at silverto ware next winter, barring an unthinkable turn of events, after running out comprehensive 5-0 victors against Albania.
Last night’s win means Gareth Southgate's side only need to avoid defeat in San Marino - the world's worst side - on Monday to confirm their place in Qatar, where the 2018 World Cup semi-finalists will be among the favourites.
England showed their quality in a ruthless, free-flowing first half, with Harry Maguire sending a message to the critics when celebrating his headed opener at Wembley.
Kane has also been far from his best of late but the skipper put that right against Albania, scoring a perfect hat-trick as he followed up a headed opener with a left-footed strike and right-footed stoppage-time scissor kick.
The Tottenham striker moved on to a record 39 competitive goals for England and level in the all-time goalscoring rankings with the late, great Jimmy Greaves on 44.
Kane also provided the assist for Jordan Henderson's goal in an outstanding first half followed by a controlled second period as England avoided exerting unnecessary energy in the penultimate match of a mammoth year.
Skipper Kane insisted England answered their critics with the rout.
He said: "Whenever you put on an England shirt you want do everyone proud - your friends and family, the fans and we may have had a little point to prove after the last game. We didn't perform to the standards that we know we can.
"It was an incredible performance. The pressure was on a little bit and we needed to get the result today. I can't credit the lads enough and it's a great way to get closer to qualifying."
Kane continued: "Everyone was ready for this one and came out on fire and got the three points. Whenever I get chances I feel I'm going to score and there was quite a few out there today. I could have had six on another night.
"I will keep doing what I'm doing, keep working hard for the team and let's keep winning."
Kane also responded to reports boss Southgate was close to signing a new deal.
"I know personally, and the lads, love Gareth," added Kane. "We want him to stay but it's his personal decision and we're backing whatever he does.”
Southgate dismissed talk about his future and insisted he was focused on sealing England's World Cup spot.
He told ITV: "It's an irrelevance for me. I'm under contract, I'm not out of contract, and I'm very well backed and supported here.
"My focus is getting this qualification done and everything else can wait.”