Football
Kevin Palmer 9y

Harry Kane: England debut goal dream come true, best moment of my career

Harry Kane declared his debut international goal as the greatest moment of his fledgling career, as he scored just 80 seconds after coming off the bench in a Euro 2016 qualifier that saw England beat Lithuania 4-0 at Wembley.

England manager Roy Hodgson resisted the temptation to start with Kane, who is the Premier League's joint leading scorer after a hugely impressive breakthrough season with Tottenham.

After Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Raheem Sterling secured England a comfortable lead, Hodgson gave Kane his moment on the big Wembley stage and he wasted little time in making his mark as he scored with his third touch of the ball.

"It is the start I have dreamed about and to see it come true is just amazing," Kane told ITV Sport. "It's all a bit of a blur at the moment, but I'm obviously delighted and the most important thing is we got the win.

"To represent your country at senior level is the top and this is the best moment [of my career] by far. Hopefully it is the first of many."

Kane was given a glowing tribute by England skipper Rooney, who was quick to praise the 21-year-old who has now scored 30 goals in all competitions for club and country this season.

"He was fantastic," Rooney said. "International football is different and to score after 80 seconds is incredible. We are all delighted for Harry."

Rooney expressed his frustration that he did not edge closer to Sir Bobby Charlton's England scoring record, with his opening goal in the comfortable victory for Hodgson's side taking his personal international tally to 47.

He is now just two behind the record Charlton had held for the last 45 years and one behind Gary Lineker in the England scoring charts, with the Manchester United forward admitting he was frustrated not to score more as he missed some chances to add to his personal haul.

"I was a bit disappointed with the first one [chance] that hit the post because I felt I got a shove that put me off balance," he continued. "The second one I have had to go far corner and it has it the post, but I'm happy I scored and we won the game.

"It is a big three points in this qualifying campaign for us. Since the World Cup, we have been fantastic. We are scoring goals, a really energetic team and a lot of goals. I think teams will be looking at this team around Europe and they will be frightened."

^ Back to Top ^