England 2-0 Finland: Player ratings as Kane nets twice on 100th cap

Harry Kane celebrated his 100th England cap with two goals to fire England to a 2-0 win over Finland in the UEFA Nations League.

The Bayern Munich striker, who had a first-half header ruled out for offside, fired home twice in the second half to steer Lee Carsley to a second consecutive win as England interim manager.

How the game unfolded

England were predictably dominant in the opening stages. Bukayo Saka was at the heart of a goal-mouth scramble just four minutes in, but it took 20 minutes for the Three Lions to manage their first shot on target. Kane found some space but saw a fierce strike denied by Lukas Hradecky.

The Bayern Munich striker did have the ball in the back of the net moments later, connecting with a diving header, but the offside flag quickly cancelled the festivities.

While it was largely one-way traffic, Topi Keskinen did have Jordan Pickford scrambling and perhaps should have assisted an equaliser, opting to shoot despite the cries of an unmarked Teemu Pukki.

Saka blazed over from range as England pushed to make something of their vast possession, before Trent Alexander-Arnold had fans off their seats with a low drive that drifted agonisingly wide of the post.

As half-time arrived, England found themselves sat on 77% possession but with just two shots on target, having failed to break down a stubborn Finland defence.

Kane's low free kick stung Hradecky's gloves early in the second half, and the Finland goalkeeper had to be alert to deny both Anthony Gordon and Kane again, but there would be no denying England's latest centurion on the 57-minute mark.

After shifting away from his defender, Kane crashed a thunderous effort from the edge of the box which flashed over Hradecky and into the back of the net courtesy of a satisfying thump off the crossbar.

Kane added his second with 15 minutes to go, collecting a cut-back from debutant Noni Madueke and curling perfectly into the back of the net to remove any doubt about the result.

England player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Jordan Pickford - 6/10 - Quick off his line to help sweep up but was largely a bystander in this one.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold - 9/10 - A creative force going forwards, playing some sensational passes to try and pick Finland apart. Unsurprisingly grabbed the assist for Kane's opener and started the move for the second.

CB: Ezri Konsa - 6/10 - Looked a little uncomfortable on Finland's rare forays forward but that's likely because he was left isolated by all his attacking teammates. Limped off on the hour mark.

CB: John Stones - 6/10 - Plenty of forward passes to try and get the ball back into Finland's final third as quickly as possible.

LB: Rico Lewis - 7/10 - Another classy showing from Lewis on his opposite side. Spent most of his time inverting into midfield.

DM: Declan Rice - 6/10 - Perhaps a little too focused on attacking, leaving his defenders exposed before the half-time whistle. More stable in the second half.

DM: Angel Gomes - 8/10 - Calm and composed in midfield. Brought excellent vision to keep England ticking, but also made a real impact with his energetic pressing.

RM: Bukayo Saka - 7/10 - Lively in attack and always willing to go charging at his defender. Got in behind time and time again but didn't always find the final pass.

AM: Jack Grealish - 7/10 - A little slow at times but made up for it with some really smart passing. A great switch in the build-up for the second goal.

LM: Anthony Gordon - 7/10 - Incredibly dangerous in the opening stages. Saw his influence fade slightly but was always a threat down the left.

ST: Harry Kane - 8/10 - Unfortunate to be caught offside for his first-half header but was not to be denied. Two excellent goals to mark his big day.

Substitutes

SUB: Levi Colwill (61' for Konsa) - 6/10

SUB: Noni Madueke (66' for Saka) - 7/10

SUB: Ebere Eze (66' for Gordon) - 6/10

SUB: Marc Guehi (80' for Guehi) - N/A

SUB: Jarrod Bowen (80' for Kane) - N/A

Subs not used: Dean Henderson (GK), Nick Pope (GK), Harry Maguire, Tino Livramento, Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo, Morgan Gibbs-White

Manager

Lee Carsley - 7/10 - England were clearly the better side here, which hardly came as a surprise. Carsley's willingness to put faith in Gomes deserves credit, as does his exceptional use of Alexander-Arnold.

Player of the match - Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)

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