ENGLAND 4, LITHUANIA 0
Harry Kane took just 80 seconds to mark a memorable England debut with a goal in a comprehensive victory against Lithuania in their latest Euro 2016 qualifier.
The Spurs striker came off the bench to make his mark as England maintained their 100-per-cent record in Group E with a fifth straight victory.
And it also helped England record a seventh victory of the season, something they had never previously done.
It was a highly satisfying night for England as all their strikers scored – Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Raheem Sterling and, of course, Kane who had the last word while they defended so well that keeper Joe Hart didn’t have a shot to save.
When told he had scored in 80 seconds, Kane replied: “That’s not too bad. It was a start to dream of and to score a dream come true and amazing.
“It was the best moment of my career by far to represent my country at senior level. Hopefully it is the first of many goals.”
Rooney described it as “incredible” how Kane scored so soon after making his entrance.
The England captain added that it was not only the victory, but the manner of the performance which impressed.
“It was a big performance. Since the World Cup we have been great. We have fantastic energy and a lot of pace and a lot of teams in Europe will look at us and will be frightened,” he said.
Rooney was happy to score, but frustrated he didn’t inch ever close to Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 49 goals for England – he is on 47 and was twice denied by the frame of the goal.
“I was disappointed with the first one which hit the post when I thought I was shoved off the ball,” he continued.
England manager Roy Hodgson also praised Kane and hopes he can emulate Rooney saying: “What better way than to score on your debut. Wayne did it and never looked back.
“It is important we build him up, not to knock him down but to be an important part of the future.
“I am delighted for Harry because there was a lot of pressure around him and hype about his name and performance.
“But with his first touch, he made a good run to the back post and produced a piece of magic and a goal.”
Hodgson went with the tried and trusted as Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Raheem Sterling were the front men meaning Kane had to settle for a place on the bench.
It was a line up which contained three United players as Rooney was joined by Michael Carrick and Phil Jones along with former Red Welbeck while City contributed Hart.
England, and in particular Rooney, hit the ground running and the striker could have completed a hat trick inside the opening 20 minutes.
He found the net once and was unlucky to see other efforts strike the upright and crossbar as England certainly began on the front foot.
Rooney struck the post before giving England a sixth-minute lead when Welbeck’s shot was parried and rebounded to the captain to nod home his 47th international goal.
And it was nearly number 48 when his header looped over goalkeeper Giedrius Arlauskis, but landed on the crossbar.
Rooney also had another decent effort late in the half as he curled a free kick around the defensive wall, but Arlauskis was well positioned to save.
England doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time when Welbeck headed in a Jordan Henderson cross, albeit with a sizeable deflection off defender Tadas Kijanskas.
Fabian Delph was denied his first international by a fabulous save from Arlauskis soon after the restart as England maintained their stranglehold of the game.
Welbeck was thwarted by the excellent Arlauskis and also had a penalty shout turned down before England made it 3-0 just short of the hour.
Rooney turned provider this time with a low cross from the right for Sterling to slot home with a low shot from six yards.
Kane got his chance with just under 20 minutes to go as he replaced Rooney. Ross Barkley also came on for Jordan Henderson as Hodgson made a double switch.
And Kane was on the field for only 80 seconds when he opened his goalscoring account for England heading home a cross from Sterling at the far post as he quickly justified his selection.
Welbeck would have added a second and fifth for England but for Delvydas Matulevicius blocking his goalbound shot.