Albania 0-2 England Player Ratings: Kane Rated 9/10 as His Brace Secures Vital 2-0 Win

While the result had almost no impact on World Cup 2026 qualification with Albania already set for the playoffs and England securing direct qualification, the match was still important. It gave both teams a chance to test their squads and see how the players performed in a tense, hostile atmosphere away from home.

A ruthless second-half display from Harry Kane saw England overcome a stubborn Albania with a 2-0 victory in this WC Qualification Europe fixture. It was a game of patience for the Three Lions. They struggled to break down a well-organized Albanian side for large periods of the match at the Arena Kombëtare.

From our perspective, the first half was a turgid affair. Albania sat deep, frustrated England, and looked to counter when they could. England dominated the ball but lacked the cutting edge. Their play was a bit too slow and predictable, making it easy for the home side to defend.

However, everything changed in the final 20 minutes. The deadlock was finally broken by a classic poacher's goal from captain Harry Kane following a corner. He wasn't done there, adding a second with a powerful header shortly after to seal the points. It was a testament to his world-class finishing, turning a frustrating evening into a comfortable win. Albania fought hard, but in the end, England's quality shone through.

Here are Albania Vs England Player Ratings

Albania Player Ratings vs England

Here are Albania Player Ratings vs England

Goalkeeper

Thomas Strakosha - 7.0: What can you say? He was a busy man. Strakosha made five saves, a few of which were top-drawer stops inside the box. For 74 minutes, he was the primary reason Albania were still in the game. He couldn't do much about either of Kane's goals, which were clinical close-range finishes. His distribution was a bit hit-and-miss but his shot-stopping was commendable. A solid performance despite the scoreline.

Defenders

Elseid Hysaj - 5.0: It's tough to rate him fairly. His evening was cut cruelly short by an injury just 26 minutes into the match. Before that, he was involved in a couple of defensive actions but didn't have enough time to make a real impact on the game. We noticed he looked a little shaky before he went off. Hopefully, the injury is not too serious.

Berat Djimsiti - 6.0: The captain led by example with his commitment, throwing himself into challenges and making 6 clearances. He organized his backline well for the majority of the game. However, the defense ultimately crumbled under England's sustained pressure. He lost track of Kane for the first goal, a decisive moment in the match.

Naser Aliji - 5.5: A difficult night for the left-back. He was dribbled past twice and struggled to contain England's wide players. While he made a few clearances, he also looked uncomfortable in possession, giving the ball away eight times. He tried to support the attack, even creating a chance, but his primary duties were a real challenge.

Ardian Ismajli - 6.0: Ismajli put his body on the line for his country. We saw him make two crucial blocked shots that showed his bravery. He was a physical presence and managed four clearances. Like his defensive partners, he was solid for a long time but was part of a unit that switched off for the two goals.

Midfielders

Kristjan Asllani - 5.5: From our perspective, this was a frustrating performance to watch. Asllani lost possession a staggering 19 times which is just too high at this level. While he tried to orchestrate play from the middle, his final ball and decision-making were often lacking. He worked hard off the ball but couldn't provide the quality his team needed.

Nedim Bajrami - 5.5: Largely anonymous for much of his 75 minutes on the pitch. His work rate was decent, with 6 ball recoveries, but he was wasteful in possession. He blazed one shot well over the bar which summed up his lack of composure in the final third. Didn't really affect the game before being substituted.

Qazim Laci - 6.5: One of Albania's brighter sparks on a tough evening. He was energetic in midfield, winning five of his nine duels and showing great composure on the ball with 95% passing accuracy. He even forced a good save from the England keeper. A committed and tidy performance.

Ylber Ramadani - 5.5: A combative but ill-disciplined display. He was a nuisance in midfield, making tackles and recovering the ball. However, he gave away three fouls and picked up a deserved yellow card. His aggression sometimes boiled over into recklessness, and he wasn't secure enough in possession.

Arbër Hoxha - 6.0: He looked like Albania's most likely source of a goal. He had two shots on target and was a direct threat. On the other hand, he was incredibly wasteful. Losing 9 duels and giving up possession 15 times killed so many of his team's attacks. A performance full of endeavor but severely lacking in end product.

Forwards

Myrto Uzuni - 5.5: A thankless task for Uzuni leading the line. He was completely isolated and starved of service. He worked hard defensively, which is commendable for a striker, but offered almost nothing going forward. He failed to register a single shot, which says it all. He was a spectator for much of the game.

Manager

S. Campos Junior - 6.0: His game plan was clear: stay compact, defend deep, and frustrate England. For 74 minutes, it worked to perfection. His team was organized and resilient. However, they offered next to nothing offensively, and once the first goal went in, the game was up. His substitutions didn't change the flow of the match.

England Player Ratings vs Albania

Here are England Player Ratings vs Albania

Goalkeeper

Dean Henderson - 7.0: A relatively quiet but important evening for Henderson. He made three saves, including a couple of smart stops to deny Albania's rare forays forward. His handling was secure and he commanded his area well. He did everything that was asked of him to secure the clean sheet.

Defenders

Jarell Quansah - 7.5: A very composed and mature performance from the young defender. He won most of his duels and was calm and collected in possession, showing a great passing range. He even popped up with a header on target from a set-piece. Looked completely at home on the international stage. Very impressive.

John Stones - 7.0: Stones was a rock for most of the game. He read the play well, making three interceptions and several key clearances. His ability to step out from the back with the ball was crucial to starting England's attacks. He did lose possession a couple of times, but it was a strong defensive display overall.

Dan Burn - 7.5: What stood out to us was his incredible efficiency on the ball. A 96% pass completion rate is outstanding. He was physically dominant, winning his aerial duels and never looked flustered. He even created a big chance, showing his underrated quality going forward. A top-class, no-nonsense performance.

Nico O'Reilly - 8.0: A fantastic all-round display. He was perfect in his defensive duels, winning all five he contested. He was a constant threat going forward, completing his dribbles and putting dangerous balls into the box. His pass created a big chance. A truly dynamic and modern full-back performance.

Midfielders

Declan Rice - 7.0: The usual solid and reliable performance from Rice before he was substituted. He controlled the midfield, recycled possession effectively, and made a few probing runs forward. He wasn't tested much defensively but his positioning was, as always, impeccable. He kept the team ticking over.

Jude Bellingham - 7.5: A classic Bellingham performance full of energy and quality. He drove forward with the ball, created two chances, and was a constant thorn in Albania's side. He did miss a big chance he'd expect to score and picked up a silly yellow card. But his influence on the game was undeniable, a real leader in the middle.

Adam Wharton - 7.5: We were really impressed by his creativity. Wharton created three chances for his teammates and his delivery from set-pieces was a major weapon. His pass for Quansah's header was perfect. He picked up a yellow card, but his vision and passing ability were key to unlocking the Albanian defense. A very promising display.

Forwards

Harry Kane - 9.0: The difference-maker. For much of the game, he was on the periphery, but great strikers only need a moment. He got two and took them both with lethal precision. A poacher's finish for the first and a powerful header for the second. That's why he's one of the best in the world. A captain's performance and our clear Man of the Match.

Eberechi Eze - 6.5: He showed flashes of his quality. Eze's close control and neat passing were evident, and he drew a couple of fouls in dangerous areas. He had one shot on target but perhaps didn't take enough risks to break down the deep defense. Was substituted as England searched for the breakthrough.

Jarrod Bowen - 7.0: A bundle of energy on the right wing. Bowen's work rate was phenomenal, tracking back to win tackles and constantly making runs in behind. He got himself a shot on target and was always involved. His final product could have been better at times, but his effort was outstanding.

Manager

T. Tuchel - 7.5: He had to be patient, and his team reflected that. England controlled the game from start to finish. The selection was bold but justified. His substitutions after the hour mark provided fresh impetus, and the tactical plan to utilize set-pieces and quality in the final third eventually paid off handsomely. A professional job well done.

Sportsdunia's player of the match is Harry Kane