26 March 2023 , 20:53
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Harry Kane set about establishing an unbeatable England scoring record and then described his Euro 2024 double-header as “crazy.”
And Kane, whose first half strike against Ukraine took his international goal tally to 55, also admitted “there is a lot going on at Tottenham ” as he looked ahead to returning to club training.
A special presentation was made to Kane ahead of the victory at Wembley and he said: “It has been crazy over the last few days. My dad and brother were in Naples so I shared that moment with them.
“I had my wife and kids here today and those are memories that will always stay with me. This has been a really special week.
“It started with that record-breaking goal and a win. It was a magical night. Then you come back to reality and have to make sure we beat Ukraine and we have, so it sets us up in a great position in qualifying. It has just been the perfect week.”
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And Kane reckons a perfect start to the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign shows just how resilient this England side is.
He went on: “I'm proud of the boys for staying focused. It shows the type of team we are.
Kane scored his 55th England goal in the first half (Alastair Grant/AP/REX/Shutterstock)"We were all disappointed after the World Cup but the sign of a good team is to come back. We are at the bottom of the hill again but we've put in two great performances and it shows the mentality of the team.
"Obviously, there's a lot going on at Tottenham and now it's time to get back to my club."
Kane believes this England squad is improving and Jude Bellingham certainly agrees, insisting that he has got plenty to learn.
The 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder was outstanding in Naples and at Wembley but said: “There's so much I've got to learn. I want to win the game at two ends of the pitch.
Jude Bellingham shone for England yet again (Getty Images)“I’ve always wanted to be someone who can do a bit of everything. I can learn from this dressing room.”
Bellingham, who does not turn 20 until the end of June, already has 24 England caps and is seen as a certainty for the captaincy at some stage.
And it is clearly something that is in his long-term sights.
He said: “That would be the biggest dream and the biggest honour in football I think is to captain your country. There's a long pecking order that I highly respect and I'll wait my turn.”
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In the meantime, Bellingham is enjoying being at the heart of a squad that he believes has just the right balance between practicality and creativity.
He explained: “We want to express ourselves but there's a side of us with a bit of nastiness.”
While Bellingham is already firmly established, James Maddison was making his first start - and winning only his second cap - at the age of 26.
And the Leicester City midfielder believes his contribution to England’s Qatar 2022 campaign has boosted his International prospects … even though he didn’t kick a ball.
Maddison explained: “I think the World Cup was important for me, even though I didn't play and I was struggling with injury.
“I was able to be a good egg around the camp and wasn't down. I supported the lads and that puts me in good stead with the manager."