UEFA Nations League

HARRY KANE is targeting 100 England goals ahead of reaching a century of caps.The Three Lions skipper will receive a special golden cap for making 100 appearances in tonight’s Nations League clash against Finland.Harry Kane revealed his favourite England goalsCredit: GettyThe striker trained in his gold boots ahead of his 100th capCredit: GettyKane, 31, is England’s all-time top scorer with 66 goals but wants an even more extraordinary record.Asked about getting a ton of international goals, the Bayern Munich striker replied: “It is definitely possible. I am in a good place and this is a good target to try to reach.“Some may see it as unrealistic but I would rather go for it and not quite make it than be comfortable saying, ‘I will be happy with 70 or 80 goals’.”Kane, who trained in golden boots yesterday, will join Peter Shilton, Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Bobby Moore, Ashley Cole, Bobby Charlton, Frank Lampard and Billy Wright in the England centurion club.READ MORE ON HARRY KANEThe ex-Tottenham star added: “Getting 100 caps has come around so quickly, especially the last few years when playing three major tournaments in a short space of time.“In those years I’ve earned around 15, 16, 17 caps a year.“It is similar with the goals. I was on 30 goals and then, bam, I went to 50 and then 60.”So on 66 goals from his first 99 senior England games, Kane revealed to SunSport’s CHARLIE WYETT some of his most special Three Lions strikes…Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFIRST ENGLAND GOAL“My debut v Lithuania. March 2015.“There was a lot of talk in the build-up to that camp because I was playing well for Spurs.Boy Wonders: Spurs star Will Lankshear the next Harry Kane?Kane got his first England goal on his debut against Lithuania in 2015Credit: -“I got a great reception and within a couple of minutes I scored a goal.“I don’t think I could have dreamed it any better.“My friends and family were there. That was a really special night.”FAVOURITE ENGLAND GOAL“It’s between two, for me.“Against Germany, the one at Wembley in Euro 2020.His header against Germany at Wembley during Euro 2020 was a huge momentCredit: ReutersKane came up with a crucial goal against Tunisia to secure a last-gasp World Cup winCredit: Darren Fletcher – The Sun“Also, the header against Tunisia at the World Cup in 2018.“That moment of scoring a last-minute winner at my first World Cup was special.”BEST THREE LIONS GOAL“The one I scored in Poland away in a World Cup qualifier in 2021. It was from 25 yards.”READ MORE SUN STORIES(Kane picked up the ball from Kyle Walker, advanced towards goal and put his foot through it.)“It kind of drifted away and it was a good strike, probably my furthest-out goal for England.”He let fly from 25 yards to power home against Poland in 2021Credit: Richard Pelham / The SunEngland Player Ratings vs IrelandDECLAN RICE silenced his Irish critics with a dominant display in England’s Nations League opener.Lee Carsley’s players handed him a debut win as interim manager of the Three Lions.Rice starred in the first half as he netted the opener and then set up England’s second goal.Jack Grealish doubled up for England after being set up by Rice 15 minutes later.Anthony Gordon however faded in the match as he was not able to have as much success as Grealish.SunSport’s Charlie Wyett has rated England’s players’ performance against Ireland…JORDAN PICKFORD – 6Pushed away a half decent shot from Sammie Szmodics at the start of the game but as England took control, he had a stress-free game.After a difficult couple of weeks with Everton, he would have been grateful for this. TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 7Looked more at home at right-back compared to the disastrous midfield experiment at the Euros.Stunning pass in a move that eventually led to the first goal. He has to remain as England’s right-back. MARC GUEHI – 7Enjoyed a decent Euros and switched over to the right of central defence as John Stones was named on the bench.Looks increasingly like a top-drawer defender. HARRY MAGUIRE – 7Was left devastated after failing to make the Euro 2024 squad but he has enjoyed a decent start with Manchester United and looked solid here.When he is not in the team, England do miss his aerial presence. 7LEVI COLWILL – 7Second appearance for England and was deployed at left-back.Unlike the Euros, England have much better balance in defence with a natural left footer in this position. 7DECLAN RICE – 9Enjoyed an absolute stormer in what could have been a difficult afternoon.Booed every time he touched the ball, the former Irish international quietened the boisterous home fans with a brilliant finish although refused to celebrate.He then set up the second for Grealish. KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Fits perfectly into Carsley’s style of play. Some of his passing was excellent, particularly in the final third of the pitch, and this included his part in the outstanding second goal. BUKAYO SAKA – 7Enjoying a terrific start to the season with Arsenal – he has been nominated as their player of the month – and played with plenty of confidence here.Was involved in the second goal.JACK GREALISH – 8Left out of the Euros squad, but loved every minute of this.A decent finish for 2-0 and unlike Rice, celebrated in front of the visiting fans by raising both arms in triumph.ANTHONY GORDON – 6Looked really lively early on but faded.He should have put England ahead when clean through but was lucky that seconds later, Rice hammered his shot into the corner. 6HARRY KANE – 6Missed with a header and despite working hard, did not actually have that many chances despite England having so much possession. SubsGibbs-White (for Grealish 77 mins) 6, Gomes (for Mainoo 77) 6, Eze (for Gordon 77 mins) 6, Bowen (for Kane 84 mins) 6, Stones (for Maguire 85) 6.Subs not used: Henderson, Pope, Lewis, Gallagher, Livramento, Konsa, Madueke. More

A FINNISH footballer is ready to hurt England – after overcoming a brain tumour.Ilmari Niskanen, 26, looks set to line up for his country at Wembley in the Nations League on Tuesday night.Ilmari Niskanen will hope to get a result for Finland at Wembley against EnglandCredit: Kenny RamsayHe is the only Finnish footballer currently plying his trade in England, playing as a wing-back for League One Exeter City. But it could have been very different after he suffered a seizure aged 18, just before his national service.A scan then revealed he had a brain tumour.But, incredibly, Niskanen kept his cool and took the whole recovery process in his stride. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe 20-cap Finland international told The Times: “Of course, it was a big shock, but I was still reasonably relaxed with it.“It was difficult, especially for my family and for my friends but for some reason I was actually quite stress-free.“Throughout the process, I trusted the doctor. “I felt like I was really kind of looking forward to the surgery, to get rid of the tumour.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I remember even the night before the surgery, I was feeling really good, and I was just glad that I could go through it now and get the tumour removed and live my life normally. “The healthcare is so good that I was able to be so calm most of the time throughout the process.”Niskanen recovered and headed out on loan before a £300,000 transfer to German third-tier outfit FC Ingolstadt.But after losing his place in the starting XI, he missed out on a chance to represent his country at Euro 2020.He then headed to British shores, initially with Dundee United for two years before completing the switch to Exeter last year.And now he faces the tough task of trying to keep England’s attack quiet.However, his hopes of taking on Phil Foden and ex-Exeter man Ollie Watkins were dashed as the duo withdrew from Lee Carsley’s first England squad.And despite an impressive 2-0 win over Ireland in his opening game in interim charge, Niskanen sent a warning to Carsley.He added: “We are definitely confident that we are able to challenge them.“When I think about the Euros, for example, England were in the same group as Slovenia and drew.”We had Slovenia in our group in the Euro qualifications. A little bit more than a year ago, we beat Slovenia 2-0.”Niskanen added: “I love Finland so, so much. It’s just an incredible honour always to wear the shirt. “When you hear the national anthem, it’s immediately the goosebumps. Always.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Everyone’s going to be watching the England game. All of my friends are going to be watching. Pretty much the whole of Finland is going to be watching. It’s something so special for the whole country.”Hopefully, one day, we will be in a major tournament again.”Meet the Finland WagsENGLAND welcome Finland to Wembley on Tuesday night.The Finnish full-back recovered from a brain tumourCredit: GettyThe wing-back joined Exeter from Dundee United in 2023Credit: Alamy More

KYLIAN MBAPPE has been slammed as “inappropriate and embarrassing” for his press conference after France lost to Italy.Les Blues were defeated 3-1 at the Parc des Princes in their Nations League fixture.Kylian Mbappe insisted he does not listen to criticism after France’s defeat to ItalyCredit: AFPHis comments were slammed by France legend Bixente LizarazuCredit: GettyBradley Barcola netted in the opening minute for the hosts before the Italians stormed back with three goals to snatch victory.Mbappe, 24, struggled to show his best form in the match as he failed to score and was booed by the home supporters.However, the Real Madrid star did not seem to be bothered about being criticised for his performance.Speaking in his post-match press conference, he insisted he does not “care” about what people “think” about him.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe added: “I’m at a stage in my life and my career where I no longer care [about criticism].”I come, I play and I try to do my best to help the team.”What people think is the least of my worries.”The forward’s comments have upset French legend Bixente Lizarazu, who does not think his comments are appropriate for a captain.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSLizarazu said: “Kylian Mbappe’s press conference surprised and embarrassed me.”The words used were inappropriate, not those of a leader and even less those of a captain.Watch Cristiano Ronaldo play ‘pick the better player’ out of stars including David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and MbappeMbappe was unable to stop France from losing to ItalyCredit: Reuters”You cannot be insensitive to the feelings of the fans of the French team, to the frustrations they may harbour, to the questions they may have.”You have to try to answer them, give them hope, that is part of the work and the emotional bond you have to have with your audience.”Lizarazu, 54, enjoyed a trophy-filled career in which he won six Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich.He also earned 97 caps for France, in which he won the World Cup in 1998 and the Euros in 2000.Mbappe joined Real Madrid in the summer after his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expired.He has already notched three goals in five appearances in all competitions for Los Blancos.Kylian Mbappe ‘snaps up £15m mansion in Beckham’s old neighbourhood’ next door to Real Madrid legend and Hollywood starBy Gerard CouzensKYLIAN MBAPPE has reportedly splashed out more than £15million on a mansion in Madrid.The French superstar, whose drawn-out transfer to Real Madrid has finally being confirmed, is said to have finalised the purchase late last month.Respected Spanish daily La Razon says the house he has bought is in the exclusive Madrid suburb of La Moraleja, where David Beckham spent most of his time living when he was in the Spanish capital.And it says his neighbours will include former Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos and his stunning model wife Pilar Rubio as well as Hollywood star Richard Gere and his Spanish publicist wife Alejandra Silva.La Razon said Mbappe had considered the gated estate of La Finca where Jude Bellingham lives and Cristiano Ronaldo still owns property as an option.But it reported the 25-year-old, who threw an extravagant party for 250 guests at a stylish Italian restaurant a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, ended up opting for La Moraleja a 15-minute drive from Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex because it was “more comfortable.”Read more on Mbappe’s property hunt. More

MATCHDAY two of the Nations League comes England’s way on Tuesday with a home game against Finland.Lee Carsley’s tenure started with a solid 2-0 win at Ireland in League B2 and he’ll be keen for his side to build on that.Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereFinland lost 3-0 at Greece on matchday one and come here as huge outsiders.It’s another big game for the Three Lions, so we’ve carefully selected some of the best price boosts and special offers for existing customers from our betting partners.Price boosts and specials offers for England vs Finland in the Nations LeagueWilliam HillOur partners over at William Hill have some top price boosts across football. We’ve selected our favourite couple which you can back below!Kane to score, England to win & both teams to score – was 3/1, NOW 7/2 – CLAIM HEREEngland to win 3-0 or 3-1 – was 11/4, NOW 10/3 – CLAIM HEREHarry Maguire to score a header – was 9/1, NOW 12/1 – CLAIM HEREtalkSPORT BETtalkSPORT BET also have a selection of price boosts for the game at Wembley! Here’s some of those on offer:Kane to score, England over 3.5 goals & England to win to nil – was 22/5, NOW 5/1 – CLAIM HEREKane & Grealish to score anytime & England to win 3-0 or 4-0 – was 11/1, NOW 13/1 – CLAIM HERERemember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.gambleaware.orgFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk More