TRENDING NOWDaily Viral Stories, Explained
Friday, 13 November 2026Trending Today
LIVE
Jensen Huang Resigns as Nvidia CEO  •  Brooklyn Building Collapse Kills 8  •  Wall Street Falls as Gold Slides Below $4,000
Sports

Harry Kane Breaks England's Caps Record on a Night He Also Scored the Winner Against Croatia

Trending Now • 13 November 2026 • 4 min read

Harry Kane celebrating a goal with John Stones in England shirts at the 2018 World Cup

Photo: Anton Zaitsev, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons — Harry Kane (right) celebrating with John Stones during England v Panama at the 2018 World Cup.

TL;DR — the direct answer: Harry Kane had the night of his life at Wembley on Thursday. The England captain won his 126th cap — passing goalkeeper Peter Shilton's record of 125 — paraded his newly won Ballon d'Or before kick-off, and then scored the winning goal from the penalty spot as England beat Croatia 2-1 in the Nations League. The win sends England into the quarter-finals next March.

What happened: England went ahead through Morgan Rogers in the 24th minute, but Croatia levelled just before the hour when Petar Sučić scored in the 59th. Five minutes later came Kane's moment: Ivan Smolcic wrestled Jarell Quansah to the ground at a corner, the referee pointed to the spot after a VAR review, and Kane converted the penalty for his 92nd international goal — extending a scoring record he already owned. The 2-1 win at Wembley, on Thursday, 12 November, moves England to 12 points from five matches in Group A3 and guarantees a place in the Nations League quarter-finals next March.

Why it's trending: It was a coronation as much as a football match. Kane, the newly crowned Ballon d'Or winner, walked out at Wembley to parade the trophy in front of the crowd, then broke the appearance record held by Shilton — a goalkeeper whose 125 caps had stood since 1990 — and marked it with the winning goal. No England men's player has ever done more: Kane already owns the goals record, and now he owns the appearances record too. The night also kept England's group alive: world champions Spain top Group A3 on 15 points after a 2-0 win in the Czech Republic, their fifth straight victory, and the two sides meet in Madrid on Sunday with top spot up for grabs.

Background / context: It was a good night for the home sides across Europe. In Milan, Italy came from behind to beat France 3-1, handing Zinedine Zidane his first defeat since taking charge of Les Bleus. Michael Olise gave France the lead, but a double from Francesco Pio Esposito — whose brother missed a penalty — and one from Davide Frattesi secured the win, despite another error from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. It was Italy's first victory over France on home soil since 1962, and it left the two sides level on 10 points in Group A1, with Italy ahead on the head-to-head record. Italy host Belgium on Sunday; France are at home to Turkey.

What we know / what's unconfirmed: Confirmed: Kane's 126th cap and 92nd goal, the 2-1 scoreline, the goalscorers and the timing of the goals, England's qualification for the quarter-finals, and Spain's 2-0 win in Prague. Also confirmed: Italy's 3-1 win and the group standings. What remains open is the top of Group A3: England trail Spain by three points, so Sunday's match in Madrid decides who finishes first — and with it, the seeding for the quarter-final draw.

What happens next: England travel to Madrid on Sunday to face Spain for top spot in the group, while Italy host Belgium and France face Turkey. The Nations League quarter-finals are in March, and England will learn their opponents once the group stage ends. For Kane, the night at Wembley adds a second record to a career that already holds the goals mark — and at 33, with the World Cup behind him and the Ballon d'Or in his hands, the question now is how far he can stretch both records before he stops.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What record did Harry Kane break?
A: He became England's most-capped men's player, winning his 126th cap against Croatia at Wembley and passing goalkeeper Peter Shilton's total of 125, which had stood since 1990.

Q: How many goals has Kane scored for England?
A: 92 — he extended his own scoring record with the winning penalty against Croatia, his 92nd international goal.

Q: What was the score against Croatia?
A: England won 2-1 at Wembley. Morgan Rogers opened the scoring in the 24th minute, Petar Sučić equalised in the 59th, and Kane converted a penalty in the 64th.

Q: Did England qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals?
A: Yes — the win moved England to 12 points from five matches in Group A3 and guaranteed a quarter-final place next March. They play Spain in Madrid on Sunday for top spot.

Q: What happened in Italy v France?
A: Italy came from behind to win 3-1 in Milan — their first home win over France since 1962 — handing Zinedine Zidane his first defeat as France coach. Francesco Pio Esposito scored twice and Davide Frattesi once.

Sources: TSN — Kane extends England goals record, Spain stays perfect and Italy beats France in the Nations League, Reuters — Italy seal dominant win over France as Kane sets England appearance record, and Fox Sports — Italy Stuns France: 3 Takeaways From Thursday's Nations League Matches.

Related Stories

← Back home