Football

Harry Kane Marks Record-Breaking Appearance with Winner Against Croatia

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Nov 13, 2026, 18:42 IST

Harry Kane became England's most-capped men's player in a 2-1 UEFA Nations League victory over Croatia. Morgan Rogers praised the captain's work ethic as England secured their spot in the quarter-finals.

Harry Kane Marks Record-Breaking Appearance with Winner Against Croatia

Harry Kane etched his name into the history books on a memorable night at Wembley, becoming England's most-capped men's international player during a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Croatia. The striker’s 126th appearance saw him surpass the long-standing record of 125 caps previously held by legendary goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

Beyond the milestone, Kane marked the occasion by netting his 92nd international goal, converting a crucial second-half penalty to secure the win. The result ensures that Thomas Tuchel’s side has successfully qualified for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals with one group-stage match remaining.

Rogers Lauds Captain's Relentless Mentality

Midfielder Morgan Rogers, who opened the scoring for the hosts, was quick to highlight the influence of his captain following the final whistle. Rogers broke the deadlock early on, finishing from close range after receiving a precise cutback from Jude Bellingham. While Croatia managed to level the scores through Petar Sucic, England regained control when Kane stepped up to score from the spot after Ivan Smolcic was penalised for pulling Jarell Quansah during a corner.

Reflecting on the match, Rogers emphasised that Kane’s success is a direct result of his unwavering dedication. He noted that despite the significance of the evening, the captain approached the fixture with his usual intensity. According to Rogers, the striker’s status as a Ballon d'Or winner is no coincidence, pointing to a mindset that remains focused regardless of the accolades he has already achieved.

Adapting to a Different Challenge

The victory provided a stark contrast to the previous meeting between the two nations, where England recorded a dominant 7-0 win. Rogers admitted that the squad anticipated a more resilient performance from their opponents this time around, acknowledging that Croatia played with significantly less fear than in their earlier encounter.

The midfielder explained that the team had to dig deep to find a different way to secure the points, noting that the match required a level of grit that was not necessary in their previous clash. With the quarter-final spot now confirmed, England turns its attention to their final group-stage fixture. Tuchel’s squad is set to travel to Madrid on November 15 to face Spain, where they will look to secure the top spot in the group.