Harry Kane's 69th international goal propelled England to a resounding 5-0 victory over Ireland, securing their promotion back to the top tier of the UEFA Nations League. The match, which marked Lee Carsley's final game as interim head coach, showcased England's attacking prowess and exciting style of play.
England clinched the top spot in their group on goal difference, edging out Greece, who defeated Finland 2-0. Kane extended his record with a 53rd-minute penalty, followed by goals from Anthony Gordon and Conor Gallagher within five minutes.
Substitute Jarrod Bowen and debutant Taylor Harwood-Bellis added to the scoreline with goals in the 75th and 79th minutes, respectively. Kane praised the team's second-half performance, emphasizing their energy and determination to secure the crucial win.
The victory ensured England's promotion ahead of the new head coach Thomas Tuchel's arrival in January. Greece, despite their efforts, will now face a playoff to vie for promotion.
Carsley's successful stint saw the introduction of eight debutants, including Gordon, Gallagher, Bowen, and Harwood-Bellis, who all marked their first senior goals for England. The English Football Association commended Carsley for achieving the primary objective of securing promotion in the Nations League.
In another Nations League fixture, Erling Haaland's hat trick powered Norway to a 5-0 win over Kazakhstan, solidifying their promotion to the top tier. Haaland leads the scoring charts with seven goals, ahead of Viktor Gyokeres, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Benjamin Sesko.
Norway's promotion came at the expense of Austria, who settled for second place after a 1-1 draw with Slovenia. The Nations League continues to showcase thrilling matches and standout performances as teams vie for success on the international stage.
