England vs Albania LIVE: World Cup qualifier result, final score and reaction tonight

Just one point is now required to reach the 2022 World Cup, after a number of points were made on the pitch.

England offered their most convincing performance of a fine year to close it out, with something closer to Gareth Southgate’s ideal side seeing out a 5-0 win over a ragged Albania. All of the scoring came in a hugely assertive first-half performance, with the majority of it done by Harry Kane.

The captain has had an imperfect start to the season, but here scored a perfect hat-trick - head, left foot, right foot.

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The England captain spoke to ITV after the match and spoke about his hat-trick, England’s performance and Gareth Southgate’s potential contract extension. He said:

Harry Kane’s hat-trick against Albania on Friday took him level with Jimmy Greaves on 44 England goals and into a share of fourth place on the Three Lions’ all-time list.

The Tottenham striker has scored two goals every three games across his 66 caps as he continues to chase Wayne Rooney’s all-time record of 53 for the men’s national team.

After a fantastic performance against Albania, England will seal an automatic qualification spot for the World Cup if they take at least a point in their final fixture away to San Marino on Monday, in what is a formality against the lowest-ranked European nation.

Here are how the players rated on an exceptional night at Wembley:

England are just one step from reaching the World Cup finals at Qatar 2022 after demolishing Albania 5-0 at Wembley on Friday night.

Harry Maguire headed in the opener, before Harry Kane nodded in a close-range second - his first of three in the opening 45 minutes.

Jordan Henderson’s quick feet and neat finish made it three before the half-hour mark, before Kane rattled in two more before the break: a smart finish after beating a defender in the channel and then an acrobatic and slightly deflected strike off a corner.

Here’s what we learned from England’s victory over Albania:

England have scored 41 goals in 2021, their most ever in a calendar year, overtaking their previous most of 39 in 1908. They stand on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup for demolishing Albania at Wembley tonight.

90+2 mins: The damage was all done in the first half. Goals for Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson kicked England into gear but it was a hat-trick from the England captain, Harry Kane, that will take the headlines.

A potentially tricky affair turned out to be a walk in the park for Gareth Southgate’s men who now need just one point from their match against San Marino on Monday night to qualify for the World Cup next year.

89 mins: Bellingham dribbles into the penalty area and sets Alexander-Arnold up for a shot from just inside the box, over to the right side. He drills a low effort first time but it gets blocked and the ball is cleared.

Two added minutes to play at Wembley.

86 mins: The corner comes to nothing for England who seem content enough to run down the clock and collect their three points. Albania have had five shots this evening with four on target. Most have come from outside the area and Pickford has been up to the task of keeping them out. He’ll want to notch up another clean sheet to top off this performance from England.