Harry Kane will have fond memories of playing against Albania.
England face The Red and Blacks in their World Cup qualifier in March in what will be Thomas Tuchel’s first game in charge since being hired.
Luckily for Tuchel, he has plenty of experience in his ranks to get that qualification campaign off to the perfect start at Wembley.
That’s because in his ranks he has England’s record goalscorer in Bayern Munich striker Kane.
Four years ago, he broke the first of Wayne Rooney’s goalscoring records when he hit a hat-trick against Albania.
Kane’s treble meant that he leapfrogged Rooney’s record of most competitive goals for England.
The Man United legend had 37 in his illustrious career, while the current England captain went from 36 to 39 in that very game.
His third and final goal in that game was a stunning bicycle kick that completed a perfect hat-trick – the first Three Lions player to do that since David Platt in 1993.
On social media after the game he called it a ‘perfect night’.
Speaking after the game, Kane said: “Number four- the perfect one. Nice game. Good night all round and obviously a great team performance. It was nice to get the hat-trick – hopefully, a few more.”
He made good on that promise the very next game as he hit four against San Marino.
You can be sure that he keeps them all in a safe place too as he told talkSPORT after the match: “I put it in a little glass box and keep them. When the kids grow up, hopefully it will give them a bit of motivation.
“It’s nice to have them around the house and remind yourself of what you are doing and what you can achieve.”
Just two years later, Kane would go on to break Rooney’s overall England goalscoring record (53) and cement his legacy as the greatest ever Three Lions forward.
“It means everything,” he said at the time.
“I was so excited to put the England shirt on and get back out here and get the campaign started for next year’s Euros.
“It had to be a penalty and once it hit the back of the net, huge emotion. A magical moment.”
Rooney was quick to congratulate Kane too, writing on social media: “Congratulations to Harry Kane on becoming England’s all-time leading goalscorer.
| Player | Goals | Games |
| Harry Kane | 69 | 103 |
| Wayne Rooney | 53 | 120 |
| Sir Bobby Charlton | 49 | 106 |
| Gary Lineker | 48 | 80 |
| Jimmy Greaves | 44 | 57 |
| Michael Owen | 40 | 89 |
| Sir Tom Finney | 30 | 76 |
| Nat Lofthouse | 30 | 33 |
| Alan Shearer | 30 | 63 |
| Frank Lampard | 29 | 106 |
“I knew it wouldn’t take long but that was quick. Great man, unbelievable goalscorer and an England legend.”
The now 31-year-old has taken his total Three Lions tally to 69 and will be hoping to add many more under new boss Thomas Tuchel.
