Everton Duo Help England Reach Quarter-Finals

Jordan Pickford edged closer to a century of caps for the England national team on Thursday evening, with James Garner also featuring in a 2-1 victory over Croatia that booked passage to the UEFA Nations League quarter-final stage.

Confirmed by Thomas Tuchel as England’s continuing number one at the start of the international break, Pickford started at Wembley in his 94th senior Three Lions outing.

The spotlight for the evening, however, was firmly on Harry Kane. The Bayern Munich striker was fresh from picking up the Ballon D’Or and made yet more history by surpassing Peter Shilton’s long-held record of 125 England appearances.

Garner and Jarrad Branthwaite, meanwhile, were both on the bench, but only the former would take to the field.

By the time Tuchel made a triple substitution in the 77nd minute – with Garner replacing Arsenal captain Declan Rice in midfield – Kane had already restored England’s lead.

Morgan Rogers had given the hosts the advantage with a close-range finish in the first half, but an error from defender Jarrell Quansah allowed the Croatians to level on the hour mark.

Kane then converted from the spot five minutes later, before it looked to be a dream cameo from Garner as he found the back of the net himself, but a VAR check confirmed an offside in the build-up to deny a first senior international goal for Everton's 2025/26 Player of the Season.

Branthwaite remained an unused substitute in London and will be hoping for game time when England head to Madrid to take on World and European champions Spain in their final game in Group C.