Harry Kane converts 61st‑minute penalty at Wembley in Nations League, his 92nd in 126th England appearance
Harry Kane converted a 61st‑minute penalty at Wembley on 13 November 2026 during England’s Nations League match with Croatia, scoring his 92nd international goal in his 126th appearance for the national team. The spot‑kick arrived after a VAR review and proved decisive in the contest.
Kane entered the match amid celebrations following his recent Ballon d’Or, with the award and a large stadium tifo bearing the slogan "England's finest" forming part of the pre‑match spectacle at Wembley. Prince William presented Kane with a framed shirt on the pitch and the Ballon d’Or itself featured in the ceremony; Kane had been the focus of extensive attention in the days after receiving the prize on 26 October 2026. The occasion also carried a personal historical note: Kane first played for England at Wembley 11 years earlier under Roy Hodgson.
The penalty decision came with 61 minutes on the clock after a VAR review for a prolonged collar grab on an opponent; the match had been 1-1 at that point. There was a loud reaction from the Wembley crowd to the award and to Kane’s customary pre‑kick routine, and Kane rolled the ball into the centre of the goal. Match commentary and reporting describe the finish as clinically executed and decisive for the hosts.
Earlier in the game England had created the opening goal through Morgan Rogers, a move for which Kane played a floated diagonal pass and Jude Bellingham supplied the subsequent cutback. England’s start had been ragged: in the opening four and a half minutes Croatia held 92 percent possession while England completed a single pass. The visitors drew level around the hour mark before the penalty restored England’s lead.
The match featured a number of individual contributions beyond Kane’s finish: Lewis Hall drew positive mention for his performance and Trent Alexander‑Arnold was noted as entertaining to watch. Thomas Tuchel was present on the touchline in a puffy winter coat, and observers commented on tactical and positional moments, including Kane occupying a deeper role and attempting ambitious passes during the first half.
The Wembley atmosphere included ceremonial elements and stadium effects described in reports as cold and crisp, with a large flag displayed by military personnel and perimeter pyrotechnics. The Ballon d’Or appearance on the pitch was described as a prominent part of the evening’s presentation.
England have now definitively qualified for the Nations League knockouts, taking the confirmed next step in the competition as a result of the match outcome. The result secures their progression to the knockout phase of the Nations League.