CAPTAIN MARVEL: Harry Kane marks historic night with two goals for England in latest thumping Nations League win as moment with Wembley crowd speaks volumes

These days Harry Kane often has to put up with second billing behind Jude Bellingham in the popularity stakes with England fans. The Wembley crowd gave Bellingham’s name a huge cheer when it was read out before kick-off - but this time Kane got an even louder reception.

They had come to pay homage to an England great who loves pulling on the shirt, representing his country and takes such pride in being captain. Incredibly, it was 4,211 days - March 27, 2015 - since Kane made his debut against Lithuania.

Of course he scored that night - just 79 seconds after coming on as a substitute - and has been doing so ever since. This night was always going to belong to Kane because, quite understandably, he made it all about himself. That has been the story of his England career.

Kane is 33 but as hungry as ever and he just leads by example. When the team needs a lift, he provides it. When they need a goal, he is always on hand.

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Captain Marvel Kane is England’s greatest-ever goalscorer and he was determined to enjoy his big night which also as good as clinched qualification for the Nations League knockout stages next March. The top two qualify and the Groups are decided on points, then head-to-head and it would be hard to see Croatia bettering England’s 7-0 score line in Rijeka last weekend.

It was also going to be impossible to emulate that result and the early stages felt like a bit after the Lord Mayor’s show. There were four changes - Trent Alexander-Arnold, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze - to the starting line-up and it felt a bit disjointed.

Alexander-Arnold went close with a free kick and Rogers tried to tee-up Kane when he should have gone for goal himself. But that is when Kane came into his own as he changed the game. The breakthrough came after 27 minutes. Kane put over a cross from the right and, inexplicably, Czech captain Vladimir Coufal slid in and smashed the ball into his own net.

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What a bizarre goal. It was a striker’s finish from close range rather than a defender’s clearance. Surely Kane deserved an assist.

But we should have known. Kane marked his big night with a goal. Of course he did. Rogers - who really grew into the game - did well down the right, sent over a low cross and there was Kane galloping in to steer home.

That took him to 90 goals. And his 91st came soon enough. Kane skimmed the crossbar with an effort after find work by Myles Lewis-Skelly. But Czech Republic’s defence was on a warning. Lewis Hall sent over a deep corner and there was Kane lurking at the back post to head home.

What a way to finish his night. Two goals, played a part in the other and Kane’s record-equalling night will live long in the memory for another milestone and an unforgettable performance. No wonder he went off to a standing ovation when he was eventually substitute with his job done well and truly done.