The Liverpool player showed with an outstanding performance at Wembley that he should now be the Three Lions’ first choice at right-back
Although Harry Kane has proven that rumours of his death were greatly exaggerated, there was a strong sense of renewal as England beat Finland 2-0 at Wembley on Lee Carsley’s debut in the dugout.
Kane celebrated his 100th cap by scoring both goals to continue England’s 100 per cent start to the Nations League B season, a perfect response to the captain’s hugely disappointing performance at the European Championships.
But the players who were largely ignored by Gareth Southgate over the summer took their chance to shine and proved they should play an important role in England’s 2026 World Cup plans.
Trent Alexander-Arnold looked like the world-class player he is for his club, while fellow Liverpool player Anthony Gordon was a revelation on the left, making a mockery of the fact he was used so little by Southgate in Germany. And Angel Gomes, never called into the squad by Southgate, showed he can be the solution to England’s decades-long problem of lack of midfield control.
This was not just a night of celebration for the Kane family. It was another sign that England can achieve great things under Carsley. But the players who missed those games through injury may not be so pleased, as they will have their work cut out trying to win back their place in an England team that is going really well.
GOAL analyzes the winners and losers of Wembley …
