Kane to the rescue as England deny Scotland in World Cup stoppage time
GLASGOW: New captain Harry Kane came to England’s rescue in the third minute of stoppage time to snatch a 2-2 draw with Scotland in their World Cup qualifier.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had given England the lead in the 70th minute after some poor Scotland defending but Leigh Griffiths picked the perfect moment to break his international duck twice over on his 13th appearance for his country.
The Celtic player curled 25-yard free-kicks into either corner of Joe Hart’s net within three minutes, the second in the final minute of the 90. However, Kane netted from close range three minutes into time added on to seal a 2-2 draw and maintain England’s eight-year unbeaten run in qualifying matches as they stayed on course for a place in Russia.
Kane said later: “To get the goal was special. It looked like we were going to win the game and then like we were going to lose when 2-1 down in stoppage time.
“We had said before the game we had to expect the unexpected. You have to somehow find another gear and now it is not a bad point away from home. Obviously we wanted to win the game but we got a point, are still top of the (qualifying) league .
“Scotland is no easy place to come, and especially when you are 2-1 down in stoppage time, it makes it that much sweeter. I definitely did not want to lose in my first game as skipper, so to get that goal, it is a good day for us and a very proud day for me as well.”
England manager Gareth Southgate said: “It was a game we should win and were in total control of, but two moments of brilliant quality from them turned it on its head in seconds. But we should never be beaten – we have got to have a mentality where we are never beaten, and we showed that at the end
“I thought we came into a hostile atmosphere and controlled the game completely, we should have been further ahead, but if you don’t get the second goal, you run the risk of an equaliser at any point.
“I think that is fair (we need to be more clinical). We had moments where we got into really good positions in the final third and you have got to take the finish. However the objective is to qualify and we still sit top of the group.”
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