Henry Winter: History books beckon for relentless Kane as England seal World Cup spot in Qatar

On the bench, Gareth Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland laughed as they watched the replay of Kane’s fourth. The 28-year-old had been adamant about wanting to start, partly because he’s patriotic, he wants to continue regaining sharpness before his return to club duty with Tottenham Hotspur, and also because of this hunger for Wayne Rooney’s England goalscoring record of 53.

San Marino were ripe for the slaughter, lambs among lions, and the only real threat to Kane and England was a pitch that cut up. Kane kept his footing and cut the defence belonging to the world’s worst side to shreds. Kane’s fame is already secure and he required only 15 minutes of the first half, beginning after 27 minutes, to cement his reputation as one of the most ruthless finishers in the world.

Not since Ian Wright in 1993 – also against San Marino – has an England player scored four in a game. Not since Dixie Dean in 1927 has an England player scored consecutive hat-tricks. The defending was abject, and at least two of Kane’s goals gifts, but his relentlessness was admirable. He played for an hour before being removed, doubtless much to Spurs’ relief but also delight as he returns to his club a reinvigorated force. Southgate embraced Kane as he walked off, the pair laughing.

The only surprise was that it took him 27 minutes to score – and England led 2-0 by then. San Marino defended in numbers and occasionally got physical – Jude Bellingham was clipped by Lorenzo Lunadei in the first minute – but Southgate’s side were in total control, racking up early corners. From England’s second after six minutes Phil Foden swung the corner out, and Harry Maguire was too mobile and powerful for Lunadei and steered his header emphatically in. Maguire eschewed any ear-cupping. England fans were less restrained, launching into their Maguire song.

If Kane was the story of the night, there were other elements of real interest, not least Emile Smith Rowe’s exciting full debut, Conor Gallagher coming on and more use of 3-4-3. Maguire was playing on the right side of England’s back three, accommodating Conor Coady centrally and Tyrone Mings on the left, and regularly stepping into midfield.

Maguire played two quick switches in the lead-up to England’s second, an own goal after 15 minutes, but a good move nonetheless, mixing patient possession with sudden incisive passing. Kalvin Phillips was involved on the left, finding Mings and then the ball went right via Coady to Trent Alexander-Arnold and then back inside to Maguire. Here came the first driven switch, finding Smith Rowe, and then on to Saka.

Back it came, England trying to stretch San Marino, or lure them out, Saka returning the ball to Smith Rowe, their Arsenal understanding clear. Phillips was involved again, and then Maguire accelerated the attack with another swift angled pass to Smith Rowe and on to Saka. His shot was off-target but clipped Filippo Fabbri and flew past the wrong-footed Elia Benedettini.

Then it was on to the main event, the Harry Kane show. This is what the 1,407 England fans had come to see, with some more peering over the fences. England were gifted their third when Dante Rossi handled Foden’s scissors kick. After a lengthy consultation with VAR, and a check on the monitor, Rade Obrenovic signalled to the spot and booked Rossi. It seemed harsh on Rossi, who had simply raised his arm for an appeal for offside and tried to withdraw it. Kane duly stroked his penalty down the middle as Benedettini dived left.

Within four minutes, Kane had moved to 46 international goals. Again it was a patient build-up, the ball moving from Coady to Phillips then on to Maguire and Foden. Smith Rowe, always lively, then exchanged passes with Phillips before Foden crossed from the left, and Kane’s left foot did the rest.

England were particularly strong down the left, where Saka was running riot as a wing back, putting in a cross after 38 minutes and Kane’s header was handled by Alessandro D’Addario. Kane calmly demonstrated his range of penalties, lifting this kick at speed into the roof of the net.

Kane moved alongside Lineker in style with three minutes of the half remaining. He has been questioned this season, his form at Spurs uninspiring, but he simply showed against admittedly wretched opponents how effective he is when given the right service. Alexander-Arnold laid the ball off to him on the right and Kane dribbled through, showing wonderful footwork, as he steered the ball past the hapless Fabbri, who was heading to the coast as Kane headed to goal. Kane simply placed his fourth of the night past Benedettini in a clinical manner Lineker would have admired.

England made it 7-0 before the hour when Chilwell switched play, Saka slipped the ball inside to the substitute Tammy Abraham. His flick was perfectly weighted for Smith Rowe, whose run was well timed and his finish was unerring. Goal No 8 came when Mings steered Alexander-Arnold’s free kick home with 22 minutes remaining.

The free kick had been awarded for Rossi’s scything down of Gallagher, bringing his second yellow. San Marino were struggling with 11 players, and it got worse with ten. England’s ninth was one of the best of the night, Abraham controlling Alexander-Arnold’s cross on his knee before neatly shooting in. Alexander-Arnold got a third assist with a cross that Saka headed in to make it ten for the first time for England since 1964 when Roger Hunt scored four against the US in New York.

– The Times

Originally published as Henry Winter: History books beckon for relentless Kane as England seal World Cup spot in Qatar