Harry Kane became England's most-capped men's player on Thursday night, winning his 126th cap in the 2-1 UEFA Nations League victory over Croatia at Wembley and marking the occasion with the winning goal. The Football Association confirmed the record on the day of the match, announcing that the captain had moved past Peter Shilton's total of 125 appearances, a mark that had stood since 1990. Kane scored from the penalty spot in the 64th minute, his 92nd goal for England, to settle a game that also booked England's place in the Nations League quarter-finals. Follow the score, lineups and match details on the England vs Croatia match page.
Wembley made the evening about Kane long before kick-off. The 33-year-old walked out with his four children, showed off the Ballon d'Or trophy he won in October, and was presented with a commemorative token by Shilton himself, the man whose record he was about to take. The Prince of Wales, patron of the Football Association, handed him a shirt carrying the number 126, and a giant banner in the stands read "Kane 126". The crowd of 80,400 had come to watch history, and the captain gave them a finish to match it.
The match itself followed a familiar script. Morgan Rogers gave England the lead in the first half, only for Petar Sucic to equalise for Croatia soon after the restart. Then Jarell Quansah was pulled to the ground at a corner and the referee pointed to the spot after a VAR review. Kane placed the penalty straight down the middle while goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic dived to his left.
The Football Association's confirmation was unambiguous. Its report on the day stated that Kane is now the most-capped player for the Three Lions with 126 appearances, after being named in the starting line-up against Croatia, having drawn level with Shilton's 125 in October's 3-0 win over Czechia, in which he scored twice. Of the 126 caps, 112 have been starts, totalling 9,860 minutes, with 84 wins, 22 draws and 20 defeats along the way.
Speaking before the match, Kane described the milestone as one of the biggest of his career and a testament to the dedication behind the scenes that has kept him fit across more than a decade of international football. His debut came in March 2015 against Lithuania at Wembley, when he scored 79 seconds after coming on as a substitute. He won his 100th cap in September 2024 against Finland, also at Wembley.
Shilton's 125 caps had been the benchmark for 36 years. The goalkeeper earned his 125th and final cap at the 1990 World Cup. It is the latest in a collection that already made Kane England's most decorated international: he is the country's all-time top scorer with 92 goals, 39 clear of Wayne Rooney in second place, and he holds the England records for most appearances at major tournaments, most goals at major tournaments and most games as captain.
The timing adds to the sense of a career peaking rather than winding down. Kane won the Ballon d'Or in October, the first Englishman to do so in 25 years, since Michael Owen in 2001. He is eight goals short of 100 for England, a target he has spoken about openly, and at 33 he remains the first name on the team sheet for club and country.
The win did more than crown Kane. England are through to the Nations League quarter-finals in March, and the final group game now carries real weight: Spain, who beat Czechia 2-0 in Prague on the same night, sit top of the group, and Sunday's meeting in Madrid will decide the group winners. It is the fixture the whole group has been building towards, and England will travel with their record-breaking captain leading the line. Follow the score, lineups and match details on the Spain vs England match page.
England face Spain at the Metropolitano in Madrid on Sunday, 15 November, in the final Nations League group game, with top spot and a more favourable quarter-final draw at stake. Kane will lead the side out for cap number 127, eight goals away from a century of England goals. ScorePulse will update this story when the FA or England confirm the team news for Madrid.
Hungary confirmed their captain suffered a knee sprain at Crystal Palace, but he stays with the squad and his availability for Saturday's Georgia game will be decided at the last minute.
Spain's federation confirmed Yamal has discomfort in his right knee and will miss Thursday's trip to Czechia, but expects him back in camp for Sunday's England game.
Bayern confirmed their captain suffered a partial tendon tear in his right foot at Mainz, with no return date given. Jonas Urbig stepped in at half-time.
