Jul 26, 2014; Bridgeview, IL, USA; Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane (37) reacts after scoring against the Chicago Fire during a friendly at Toyota Park. Tottenham Hotspur won the match 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
England were expected to have a forgettable, but easy three points against Lithuania on Friday night in their most recent leg of the Euro 2016 Qualification Group Stage. While the Three Lions can find ways to disappoint their supporters at times, the English were heavily favored to begin their qualification process for France 2016 with 15 out of 15 points by earning a fifth straight win in qualifying.
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However, the match was highly anticipated thanks to one of the EPL’s brightest young stars making his debut with the National Team as striker Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur was on the team sheet for the Lithuania match to grab the headlines across the pond for England. One of the Premier League’s top goalscorers with 19 on the year, Kane earned the hype going into the match and many tuned in just for the chance that the young star would make a memorable moment out of his first competitive appearance for his country.
The excitement was slightly muted before kickoff as manager Roy Hodgson opted to go with his proven veterans up top with Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck starting the match for England, a move that was justified by both players scoring in the first half to put them up 2-0 at Wembley Stadium.
Bayern Strikes
Following a Raheem Sterling goal in the 58th minute Hodgson finally gave everyone what they tuned into see as Kane was substituted onto the pitch with the chance to make his impression felt in a game that was already in England’s hands. The striker who has dominated EPL defenses all season long did just that by grabbing all of the headlines with a goal in quick fashion after stepping onto the pitch at Wembley.
Just 78 seconds into his debut Kane would find the back of the net, putting himself further into the forefront in England as the ongoing debate on whether or not he is ready to lead England at just 21 years old by fuelling those who argue that he is ready to start for the Three Lions case with a quick goal as an impact substitute.
21-year-old Harry Kane, who has an EPL-best 14 goals since Jan. 1, scored in his England debut on Friday just 2 mins after being subbed on.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 27, 2015
While Kane likely has a far ways to go before he is on the level of Danny Welbeck or Wayne Rooney in two players who have shown their quality for Hodgson over long European and World Cup campaigns, the Spurs striker could be an important player in the exact type of role he was used on Friday night at Wembley. Coming off of the bench and scoring a goal as the fresh man is something a player with 19 goals in the league can easily do while providing the manager a chance to evaluate his play for the country in a lesser role for now.
It appears that Kane will one day be the man up top for England, goals in the EPL and now goals in Euro 2016 qualifiers adding to his list of accomplishments in perhaps the biggest breakout season in Europe this season. A lot can change and with England a long list of players have started with bright flames before burning out for their country as strikers. Kane is looking like the real deal, but pundits and supporters alike will want to see more of the 21 year old before confirming his status as the future in the Starting XI for England at striker.