Kane struck twice in the closing stages as Thomas Tuchel’s made history in Tirana.
After an eighth successive Group K victory, England are the first European side to go through a World Cup qualifying campaign of at least six matches with an 100 percent record and no goals conceded.
They are the first European team to win all their World Cup qualifiers since Germany in 2018.
England have not lost a World Cup qualifier in 39 games since 2009 when they were beaten 1-0 in Ukraine.
They scored 22 goals and allowed none in a perfect path to next year’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Spain, like England yet to concede a goal, and Norway have also won all their qualifiers. Both have one game left.
England’s run of 10 consecutive competitive wins without conceding a goal equals Spain’s European record.
The Three Lions also end 2025 with their highest win percentage in a calendar year since 1946 – nine victories from 10 games under Tuchel featuring only one blemish in a friendly loss to Senegal in June.
“Nice match. I love it. Today was difficult, emotional. We were full in control, then suddenly lost some control and had to overcome difficult moments,” Tuchel said.
“I felt we were invested but also it was difficult to break them down. It needed one little moment, a set piece or a moment of magic, to open the match,” he added. “So much good stuff and quality to see the game out. Everyone is happy and they fully deserved it.”
Tuchel started his reign with a 2-0 win against Albania in March and the same opponents book-ended a memorable first year in charge for the German.
Although England wrapped up their World Cup place in October, they followed Tuchel’s demand to stay focused, beating Serbia on Thursday and dispatching obdurate Albania.
Far sterner tests lie in in wait at the World Cup but Tuchel has recovered from a sluggish start to his reign to provide genuine belief that England can win a major trophy for the first time since 1966.
By the time they return to action with two friendlies in March, Tuchel will know who England will face at the World Cup after the draw in Washington on December 5. (AFP)
