The Bayern Munich star was largely anonymous in Helsinki on his return from injury, though his team-mates did get the job done
On Thursday against Greece, as an experimental England line up slumped to defeat at home, it was clear that this current iteration of the Three Lions can't win without Harry Kane. On Sunday against Finland, Kane was back and victory was secured. The role Kane did – or didn't – play in securing that victory, however, means his place in the line up will continue to be debated.
Kane's lack of impact at Euro 2024 became a huge talking point even as Gareth Southgate's side made their way through the rounds to the final, but things reached breaking point in Berlin as the Bayern Munich man put in an anonymous display that reportedly angered team-mates and led to him being replaced early in the second half.
A late-season injury was blamed for Kane's lethargy, and he certainly looked back to his best when scoring twice against Finland back in September. But in the reverse fixture in Helsinki, Kane was a shadow of himself. Granted, he is again nursing a fitness issue, while even the best No.9s need service from their team-mates to thrive. But it's becoming clear that the biggest issue the next permanent England manager has to solve going forward is how to either get the best out of Kane, or figure out a way to win without him.
Aside from the disappointing display of the skipper, this was an underwhelming but ultimately satisfying game for England. Jack Grealish again showed why he potentially should have been taken to the Euros with a goal, Trent Alexander-Arnold stepped in at left-back and showed why he simply has to be a permanent fixture in the line up going forward, and Declan Rice led a revived midfield alongside the recalled Angel Gomes after Thursday's horror-show.
However, this was not the kind of performance that will have earned Lee Carsley much good will as he looks to recover his reputation after the Greece debacle. He may not care, of course, as reports begin to claim that he doesn't actually want to be Southgate's successor. But if the Under-21s boss was meant to take the handbrake off after the Euros disappointment, then he missed the mark during this international break.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from the Helsinki Olympic Stadium…
Getty ImagesWINNER: Trent Alexander-Arnold
The big talking point once the England team for this one was announced centred on Alexander-Arnold, who was switched to left-back amid the Three Lions' injury issues in the position. Carsley did not select a recognised left-back in his squad, and with Kyle Walker recalled to the line up, Alexander-Arnold found himself switching flanks.
While he didn't always look comfortable defensively as he got to grips with his new position, the Liverpool man did look good going forward. He combined well with both Jude Bellingham and Grealish down the left, while his drilled pass into Gomes allowed the Lille man the space to create the opening goal.
Alexander-Arnold capped his performance with a superb free-kick goal to make the score 2-0, and it is that kind of ability which should mean he finally becomes a staple in the England team. Now aged 26, it's taken far too long for one of the country's most talented individuals to lock down a starting spot, but with Walker's powers waning and Kieran Trippier retired from the international game, the path is clear for Alexander-Arnold to become an England lynchpin.
AdvertisementAFPLOSER: Harry Kane
There is no doubt of Kane's greatness when it comes England. No player has scored more goals for the country than the Three Lions captain, while his two tournament Golden Boots are further proof of how he shows up on big occasions. But the Kane debate has arguably never been more heated.
The question of who would replace Kane when he eventually retires from international duty has remained unanswered ever since he entered the second half of his illustrious career. On Thursday, Carsley opted to start with five attack-minded players without a natural No.9 to disastrous results. The natural conclusion was that Kane, regardless of his performance level, remained crucial.
However, on Sunday, the Three Lions won despite their star striker failing to show up. Kane's 70 minutes on the pitch were basically a non-event as far as he was concerned as he struggled to combine with team-mates and never got a clear sight of goal.
It was only once Ollie Watkins came on that England had an energetic presence up front, and they looked much the better for it as they scored two more goals, with Watkins assisting Rice for the third. So is the Aston Villa man the answer to England's future? Perhaps.
AFPWINNER: Jack Grealish
Grealish spoke at the start of this international break about his Euros omission and how he didn't agree with Southgate's decision to leave him at home for the tournament. Certainly that fire to prove himself to the next manager is burning within the Manchester City man as he netted his second goal of this Nations League campaign on Sunday.
Back in the team after missing the Greece game with a minor injury, Grealish barely gave the ball away on Sunday, and while he still lacked the confidence to beat his man on occasion, his was a performance that kept England on the front foot for long spells as he combined well with fellow Birmingham native Bellingham.
Grealish's game was capped by his well-taken opener as he confidently finished from Gomes' superb through-ball, and celebrated by dedicating the goal to his newborn daughter, Mila. He's still not at his brilliant best, but Grealish is making it clear that he remains an impact player for England as they enter a new era.
Getty ImagesLOSER: Cole Palmer
Seven weeks in, and there hasn't been a better player in this season's Premier League than Cole Palmer. Watching England these past two games, however, and you wouldn't have known it.
After struggling as a box-to-box midfielder against Greece, Palmer was back in a more familiar role on Sunday as he stepped in for the injured Bukayo Saka and started on the right-hand side of the attack. However, this was far from vintage Palmer as he struggled to get into the game in the first half, while his final ball was lacking when he did pick up possession in dangerous positions. In the end, he was replaced by club-mate Noni Madueke for the final 20 minutes after a disappointing display.
For all that he's achieved at club level over the past 12 months, it's easy to forget that Palmer only has 10 caps to his name. And so while he has all the ability to become England's main man ahead of the 2026 World Cup, he needs time to find his role in this team.
