Harry Kane Breaks England Caps Record as Three Lions Beat Croatia 2-1 to Reach Nations League Quarter-Finals

admin · November 13, 2026 · 5 min read

Harry Kane celebrates his record-breaking 126th England cap after scoring the winning penalty against Croatia at Wembley

Harry Kane marked a record-breaking night at Wembley by scoring the winning goal as England beat Croatia 2-1 on Thursday, November 12, to book a place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. The England captain won his 126th senior cap, moving past goalkeeper Peter Shilton to become the most-capped men’s player in English football history.

Kane, 33, converted a 64th-minute penalty — his 92nd goal for England — to settle a tense match in front of 80,484 fans, just weeks after becoming the first Englishman in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or.

Rogers Opens the Scoring Before Croatia Hit Back

England took the lead in the 24th minute when Morgan Rogers finished from close range after Jude Bellingham returned Kane’s cross into the six-yard box. The hosts had earlier gone close through Elliot Anderson, who shot over from the edge of the area in the 16th minute.

Croatia, beaten 7-0 by England in the reverse fixture last month, proved far harder to break down this time. Petar Sucic equalised in the 59th minute, reacting quickest to a loose ball after an England corner.

The lead lasted only five minutes. After a video review, England were awarded a penalty when Jarell Quansah was fouled by Ivan Smolcic, and Kane drilled home from the spot — his 27th successful penalty for his country.

A Record 56 Years in the Making

Kane’s 126th appearance took him clear of Shilton, who earned 125 caps between 1970 and 1990. The Bayern Munich striker had equalled the record on October 6, when he scored twice in a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic at Wembley.

Before kick-off, Shilton made a presentation to the England skipper on the pitch, alongside the Prince of Wales. Croatia captain Luka Modric also presented Kane with a replica of a historic ball to mark the occasion and his Ballon d’Or win.

“It’s been a crazy few weeks,” Kane told BBC Radio 5 Live after the match. “I’m trying to take it all in,” he added, speaking to the BBC. “Breaking the record is a huge achievement in the history of our sport.”

Why This Matters

Kane now holds England’s two great individual men’s records at once: most appearances and most goals. He is also the top scorer in this season’s Nations League with seven goals, and Bellingham’s six assists for England in 2026 are the most by a player for the national team in a calendar year since Raheem Sterling.

The result guarantees England a place in the Nations League quarter-finals in March. England sit second in Group A3 behind Spain, who beat Czechia 2-0 on Thursday, and travel to Madrid on Sunday, November 15, for a winner-takes-all clash to decide who tops the group. Croatia, meanwhile, are out of quarter-final contention and finish their group campaign at home to Czechia on Sunday.

Latest Developments

England’s victory continued an unbeaten run against Croatia in the Nations League — four meetings, no defeats, with a 9-1 aggregate score across the last two fixtures. Thomas Tuchel’s side will now look to avenge their 3-2 defeat to Spain in their Nations League opener when they travel to Madrid.

Kane, inspired by 41-year-old Modric still performing at the highest level, has already set his sights beyond this campaign. With England set to co-host the European Championship in 2028, the captain is determined to lead his nation to a long-awaited major trophy on home soil.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many caps does Harry Kane have for England?

Harry Kane now has 126 caps for England, passing Peter Shilton’s record of 125. He became England’s most-capped men’s player on November 12, 2026, against Croatia at Wembley.

How many goals has Harry Kane scored for England?

Kane’s penalty against Croatia was his 92nd goal for England, extending his own record as the country’s all-time leading scorer.

Who did England beat to reach the Nations League quarter-finals?

England beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley on November 12, 2026. Morgan Rogers scored the opener, Petar Sucic equalised for Croatia, and Kane’s penalty sealed the win and a quarter-final place.

When do England play Spain next?

England travel to Madrid to face Spain on Sunday, November 15. Only a win will be enough for England to finish top of Nations League Group A3.

England’s win over Croatia was about more than three points. On a night when their captain entered the record books, the Three Lions secured knockout football in the Nations League — and set up a Sunday showdown in Madrid that will decide who tops the group.