Harry Kane celebrated his record-breaking 126th England appearance with a goal from the penalty spot as England beat Croatia 2-1 on Thursday to book a place in the Nations League quarter-finals.\n<\/p>\n
Slaven Bilic\u2019s team were determined to avoid the embarrassment of their 7-0 mauling by England in Rijeka last month and looked much more solid from the kick-off.\n<\/p>\n
But goals from Morgan Rogers and captain Kane kept England second in their group, confirming their place in the Nations League last eight in March.\n<\/p>\n
Neither side got out of second gear in the opening stages of the match at Wembley.<\/p>\n
Elliot Anderson fired over in the 16th minute and Croatia\u2019s Josip Misic flashed a shot wide midway through the first half.\n<\/p>\n
Chelsea forward Rogers broke the deadlock in the 24th minute in slightly fortuitous fashion following a neat move by the home side.\n<\/p>\n
Kane floated a ball to Jude Bellingham on the right of the penalty area and the Real Madrid man cushioned the ball first time across the area towards Rogers.<\/p>\n
Manchester City\u2019s Josko Gvardiol had a chance to clear but got in a tangle and Chelsea\u2019s Rogers poked the ball past goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.<\/p>\n
England started to find some rhythm as they went in search of a second goal but failed to add to their tally before half-time.\n<\/p>\n
Thomas Tuchel\u2019s men were again the more potent team at the beginning of the second period.\n<\/p>\n
But the visitors levelled against the run of play just before the hour mark after a glaring error by England defender Jarell Quansah, who misdirected a header from close range towards Jordan Pickford following a Croatia corner.\n<\/p>\n
The ball fell to Petar Sucic, who stabbed home. <\/p>\n
Minutes later England were back in front, with Bayer Leverkusen defender Quansah again at the heart of the action after his shirt was tugged in the penalty area.\n<\/p>\n
Referee Morten Krogh initially did not award a penalty but he was sent to the monitor by the VAR and pointed to the spot.<\/p>\n
Kane made no mistake, drilling home for record-extending 92nd England goal.\n<\/p>\n
Nikola Vlasic gave England a scare, firing just wide of Jordan Pickford\u2019s goal as Croatia showed they were still alive.\n<\/p>\n
James Garner thought he had scored a third for England after a Bellingham cut-back but Bellingham was in an off-side position when he received the ball.\n<\/p>\n
Ballon d\u2019Or winner Kane won his 126th cap when the game kicked off \u2014 taking him clear of his tie with former goalkeeper Peter Shilton.\n<\/p>\n
A giant banner was raised before kick-off with a picture of the 33-year-old and the words \u201cEngland\u2019s Finest\u201d.\n<\/p>\n
Shilton was part of a pre-match presentation to honour the Three Lions skipper, along with Football Association patron Prince William.\n<\/p>\n
England remain second in Nations League Group A3, after leaders Spain beat the Czech Republic 2-0 but are now assured of a place in the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n
Spain and England face each other in Madrid on Sunday.\n<\/p>\n
AFP\n <\/p>\n
Source: <\/p>\n
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