England beat Croatia to reach Nations League quarterfinals as Kane scores on record 126th cap

England have reached the quarterfinals of the Nations League after beating Croatia 2-1. In Thursday's match at Wembley, captain Harry Kane scored from the penalty spot on his record-breaking 126th international appearance.

The win lifted England to second place in Group A3 behind Spain, confirming their place in the Nations League last eight, to be played in March.

Before the match, a giant banner was raised showing a picture of the 33-year-old Kane with the words "England's Finest". Kane, who had been tied with former goalkeeper Peter Shilton, moved clear of him by winning his 126th cap. Shilton took part in a pre-match presentation to honour the England skipper, along with Football Association patron Prince William.

Both sides struggled to get out of second gear in the opening stages in London. Elliot Anderson fired over in the 16th minute, and Croatia's Josip Misic flashed a shot wide midway through the first half.

Chelsea forward Morgan Rogers broke the deadlock in the 24th minute. Kane floated a ball to Jude Bellingham on the right of the penalty area, and the Real Madrid man cushioned the ball first time across the area towards Rogers. Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol got in a tangle trying to clear, and Rogers poked the ball past goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.

Slaven Bilic's Croatia, determined to avoid another embarrassment after last month's 7-0 mauling by England in Rijeka, looked much more solid from the kickoff. England found some rhythm in search of a second goal before half-time but failed to add to their tally.

The home side were again the more potent team at the beginning of the second period. But the visitors levelled against the run of play just before the hour mark. From a Croatia corner, England defender Jarell Quansah misdirected a header towards Jordan Pickford, and the ball fell to Petar Sucic, who stabbed it home.

Minutes later England were back in front, with Bayer Leverkusen defender Quansah again at the heart of the action after his shirt was tugged in the penalty area. Referee Morten Krogh initially did not award a penalty, but after being sent to the monitor by the VAR he pointed to the spot. Kane made no mistake, drilling home his record-extending 92nd England goal.

Nikola Vlasic gave England a scare late on, firing just wide of Pickford's goal. James Garner thought he had scored a third from a Bellingham cut-back, but Bellingham was in an offside position when he received the ball, so the goal did not stand.

After the match, Kane told ITV that after the first game, when they lost to Spain, they knew they had left a bit out there and could have done better. They had told themselves to win every game until the next meeting. Thomas Tuchel's men now travel to Madrid for Sunday's clash with Spain, with a chance to avenge their 3-2 defeat against the world champions in their Nations League opener.