Harry Kane made his England debut on Friday evening as a second half substitute…and scored his first goal after just 79 seconds.
Such has the form been of the Tottenham Hotspur striker this season, it was a question of whether he would start against Lithuania rather than whether he would be in Roy Hodgson’s squad. As it transpired, the head coach instead opted for Daniel Welbeck and captain Wayne Rooney, both of whom scored first half goals at Wembley Stadium.
Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling had added a third just before the hour mark, and Kane finally entered the proceedings when he replaced Rooney on 72 minutes. And the 21-year-old took just 79 seconds to score his first international goal, when he rose to head home a cross at the far post to register his 30th strike in what has been a sensational season.
“It’s a dream come true,” Kane told Sky Sports. “Obviously I was very excited to make my debut, and to score as well is what I dreamed of as a little kid. A special night, a proud night, and one I won’t be forgetting for a while. It’s great to get the three points as well. I just want to be here, playing for England and scoring goals, it’s my first taste of it and I loved it.”
England have now won all five of their matches in their UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying group, and attention now turns to Tuesday night when they travel to Turin to take on Italy in a mouth-watering friendly. Whilst Kane will be hoping for a first start, Rooney will be hoping for another opportunity to get closer to Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 49 goals.
The Manchester United captain now has 47 goals, one behind Gary Lineker, and he feels the way he and his team-mates are performing, he might well get the chance to get on the scoresheet again in midweek. He said: “Since the World Cup we have been fantastic. A lot of teams around Europe will be looking at this team and will be frightened.”
England: Hart, Clyne, Cahill, Jones, Baines; Henderson (Barkley 71), Carrick, Delph, Sterling; Welbeck (Walcott 77), Rooney (Kane 72)
