Having kicked off Group C with an impressive victory in Naples, it has long been a case of when rather than if the unbeaten Euro 2020 runners-up would seal their spot in Germany.
Italy stood in their way of early progress as these nations met at Wembley Stadium for the first time since they pipped Southgate’s men to European Championship glory on penalties.
England have come a long way in the intervening 27 months and emphatically bounced back from former West Ham United striker Gianluca Scamacca’s early gut punch under the arch.
Kane struck from the spot after Giovanni Di Lorenzo brought down brilliant Jude Bellingham in the box, putting the hosts on course for the point they needed to go through.
But England wanted more and returned from the break with the bit between their teeth, with Real Madrid star Bellingham beginning a brilliant counterattack that ended with him playing in Marcus Rashford to rifle home.
It would have been a special moment given the England forward missed one of the penalties against Italy, and Kane added late gloss as the skipper looks forward to leading the national team to next year’s Euros.
The goals took Kane’s tally at Wembley to 24, one more than 1966 World Cup winner Bobby Charlton.
“I showed a bit of pace, which is not normally my strength. It was nice to finish it off and it killed the game,” Kane said.
“I love it, it’s our home (Wembley), we’ve made it a real fortress over the years and with a full house here, the fans are loving it.
“We wanted to repay them with good victories and good performances and we did that today.”
England lead Group C on 16 points, three ahead of Ukraine, who won 3-1 in Malta, and six points above Italy.
AAP
