It began with him being shown a replay of his first England goal during a pre-match interview with ITV – the header against Lithuania in 2015, just 79 seconds after he came on as a substitute for his debut. It ended with him reflecting on two more in what was a supremely comfortable Nations League victory over Czechia. Some things never change.
It remains a numbers game for Kane. They are getting bigger and ever more impressive. On the occasion of his 125th cap, the one that took him level with Peter Shilton at the top of the all-time England list, he moved to an astonishing 91 goals.
Nobody will be surprised if he reaches the century. The only question appears to be when. England know how to beat the game’s smaller fry.
Under Thomas Tuchel, they have played 16 matches against teams ranked outside the world’s top 20. They have won 15 and drawn one – against Ghana at the World Cup. They have conceded only once – against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also at the World Cup.
Czechia, who are ranked No 50, were never in the contest. Kane is similarly inevitable. The captain even claimed the assist for the breakthrough goal with a cross into the corridor of uncertainty that spooked Vladimir Coufal so severely he shot into his own net.
Kane’s passing was very good. When he was withdrawn in the 82nd minute, he left to a great ovation. The victory meant that England virtually guaranteed their progress into the Nations League quarter-finals and, perhaps more importantly, saw them close out this elongated window with plenty of optimism.
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