Kane delighted with hat-trick as England thump Albania | OneFootball

England require only a point from their final qualifier in San Marino to confirm their place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after thrashing Albania at Wembley.

Harry Kane led the romp with a first-half hat-trick as England made light work of an Albania side expected to provide stiff opposition after a very respectable qualifying campaign.

England were five goals ahead and out of sight by half-time, Harry Maguire setting them on their way with a ninth-minute header from Reece James' free-kick, Kane quickly adding a second at the far post from Jordan Henderson's cross.

Henderson scored the third himself after a slick exchange with Kane before England's captain added two more before the break with a shot from an angle and a stunning scissors kick from Phil Foden's corner.

Kane is now level with Jimmy Greaves on 44 England goals and has scored 39 competitive goals for his country, breaking Wayne Rooney's record of 37.

Kane later said, "Great night for the team first and foremost. An important result for us and just the way we went about it. To go 5-0 at half time shows the character of the squad. We had a bit of a disappointing performance last time we were here at Wembley and we wanted to put that right and we did that. A great night all round and we can look forward to Monday.

"We were looking to be ruthless all around the pitch, not just in the box or the finishing, we wanted to make it a tough night for them to show the country and the world what we are capable of and I think we did that.

"We will keep doing what we are doing, keep working hard as a team and a squad and hopefully keep improving. Still to get the job done on Monday.

"Whenever I score I seem to be sharp, whenever I don't I'm not sharp anymore. That is part and parcel of being a striker. The most important thing is we are moving forward as a team."