Related items

• Kane not setting limits on England achievements after milestone appearance

  Harry Kane insisted the sky is the limit for what he can achieve with England after marking his 100th Three Lions appearance with two goals against Finland.

  Kane, who became the 10th England centurion on Tuesday, marked the milestone with a second-half brace after seeing a header ruled out for offside before the break. 

  The Bayern Munich striker has been directly involved in 85 goals (68 goals and 17 assists) since his England debut in March 2015. 

  He also netted his 26th and 27th goals at Wembley, the most that any Three Lions player has managed at the iconic venue.

  Kane also became the third England player to score on his 100th appearance, after Wayne Rooney (2014) and Bobby Charlton (1970). 

  Having taken inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo's 900th career goal ahead of kick-off, Kane has no signs of stopping yet as he eyes 100 goals for his country.

  "I try never to set limits on what I can achieve," said Kane. "I know playing in this team, I am going to get chances and, if I get chances, I feel like I can score many goals.

  "I am going to keep going as long as I can and who knows what we can achieve? Some of the top players in the world have scored more than I have, so there are targets there to try and achieve."

  Kane's double also led England to consecutive victories in the Nations League for the first time since 2018, while helping them maintain their unbeaten record against Finland. 

  The Three Lions return to Nations League action next month when they welcome Greece to Wembley on October 10, before travelling to Finland three days later. 

• De Ligt was subbed off to protect him, says Koeman

  Ronald Koeman revealed that Matthijs de Ligt's substitution was made to protect him during the Netherlands' 2-2 draw with Germany in the Nations League. 

  Tijjani Reijnders had given the Netherlands the lead in the second minute, only for Deniz Undav and Joshua Kimmich to hand the visitors the advantage at the break. 

  For Germany's equaliser, Manchester United defender De Ligt saw his pass under no pressure intercepted by Jamal Musiala, resulting in Undav levelling the scores.

  Koeman had previously addressed De Ligt's errors during the Netherlands' 5-2 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina last week and had to do so once again on Tuesday. 

  "Of course, I would rather have kept Matthijs de Ligt on the pitch. It just looks like he is now in a period where all his mistakes are being punished," said Koeman.

  "I gave him a new chance today, but eventually protected him by taking him off."

  However, Liverpool captain and defensive partner Virgil van Dijk was more blunt in his assessment, saying the punishment is bound to follow against the top sides.

  "This is football. You have to learn from this," Van Dijk said. "It was one moment but at the highest level you will get punished for it."

  But at the top end of the pitch, Koeman was impressed with the performance of Ajax striker Brian Brobbey, who was given the chance to shine in place of the absent Memphis Depay. 

  Brobbey, who made only his second start for his country against Germany, proved a handful for the visitors' defence, notching the assist for Denzel Dumfries' equaliser, with his five touches in the opposition box a total only bettered by Cody Gakpo (seven).

  The Dutchman's display forced Julian Nagelsmann into making a defensive substitution of his own at the break, replacing Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah for Borussia Dortmund new boy Waldemar Anton. 

  "Tah was not substituted for nothing," said Koeman. "He pulled Brobbey’s shirt five times and committed a foul each time. Brobbey held him off very well.

  "The second goal also came from Brobbey. I am super satisfied with him. He got his chance, and it was great that he took it like that.

  "I am glad I chose him. He is fast and strong."

  There was cause for concern, however, for Manchester City defender Nathan Ake, who pulled up off the ball on the stroke of half-time and was replaced by Jurrien Timber. 

  Ake left the field on a stretcher and was visibly upset, with Koeman able to provide a brief update on the injury. 

  "It looks like a muscle injury for Nathan, though I am not certain," Koeman said.

• Carsley far from comfortable despite perfect England start

  Lee Carsley still feels far from comfortable in his role as interim England boss, though he was delighted to see the Three Lions make a perfect start to their Nations League campaign.

  Harry Kane scored twice on his 100th international appearance as England beat Finland 2-0 at Wembley on Tuesday, having overcome the Republic of Ireland by the same scoreline on Saturday.

  The victory made Carsley the first England manager to win his first two competitive games at the helm to nil since Steve McLaren achieved the feat in 2006. 

  Such was England's dominance against Ireland and Finland that goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was only forced into one save across the two games, in the 11th minute on Saturday.

  Despite his impressive start, Carsley – who is seen as a leading contender to get the job on a permanent basis – feels there is plenty more to come.

  "I definitely don't feel comfortable still, I have been out of my comfort zone," he told ITV Sport. 

  "It's been enjoyable but we have to make sure every single day we are producing high standards. 

  "We've been fortunate enough to get two good results and it's all about building on that."

   

  Pickford, meanwhile, has been impressed by the impact made by some of the new faces called up by Carsley, many of whom played under him at under-21 level.

  "It is new and it has been a short camp. A lot of young lads won the Under-21 Euros with the manager and they know the ideas," the Everton goalkeeper said.

  "t was refreshing for the older lads – I always want to improve. With England there is a pathway from the younger age groups. 

  "The amount that come from the under-16s and get opportunities to play for the seniors is there, and it has been there on the manager side as well."

  Lille midfielder Angel Gomes was among those to impress on his full debut, becoming the first player to start for England while playing for a French club since Marseille's Trevor Steven in June 1992 (versus France).

  Gomes had more touches (130) and completed more passes (116) than any other player, while only Jack Grealish (53) bettered his 42 passes in the final third.

   

  Chelsea's Noni Madueke also made his first England appearance from the bench, replacing Bukayo Saka and making a swift impact by teeing up Kane's second goal.

  "It was great to make my first appearance for the national team and I'm really proud of myself," the winger told BBC Radio 5 Live.

  "It has been a great week, the boys are great and the staff and players have made me feel welcome.

  "It tried to go out there and be direct and cause problems. I got an assist for Harry on his 100th appearance – it can't get much better than that. It is fitting that Harry got both goals, it is his night."