TIRANA, Albania — Harry Kane scored his first England goal in 16 months before setting up another for Mason Mount in a 2-0 win over Albania in World Cup qualifying on Sunday.
It was a second straight victory to open Group I for England, which thrashed San Marino 5-0 on Thursday when Kane was rested after a busy run of games for Tottenham at club level.
The striker was recalled by England coach Gareth Southgate — and regained the captaincy, too — in Tirana and produced a diving header from Luke Shaw’s left-wing cross to put his country ahead in the 38th minute.
Kane moved onto 33 goals for England, 20 off the all-time record held by Wayne Rooney, having last scored in November 2019 — before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Kane has added a more creative aspect to his game this season at Tottenham, and that was on show for the second goal in the 63rd when he fed Mount with a neat pass to his left.
The Chelsea midfielder bore down on goal and lifted his angled finish over goalkeeper Etrit Berisha.
Southgate decided to again play two holding midfielders — this time Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips — despite the limited opposition, in an approach that has its critics. It did mean England was hardly troubled in defense, where Luke Shaw and John Stones started after long absences from the squad, although England struggled to produce any free-flowing football until Kane’s goal.
Some of that might be put down to the slow nature of the pitch, with the long grass affecting the pace of England’s passing and making the team’s buildup appear ponderous.
England was much better after the opening goal, with Kane wasting a great chance for a second goal when he met a cross from Raheem Sterling with a side-footed effort on the half-volley that powered against the crossbar and rebounded clear.
In the second half, Phil Foden had a shot tipped onto the post by Berisha.
England faces arguably its biggest threat in the group on Wednesday when Poland visits Wembley Stadium.
Later Sunday, Poland plays Andorra and Hungary is away to San Marino.
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
