The Five Lions

London, November 13

Just when he is doubted, Harry Kane finds new ways to conjure the spectacular.

A right-footed scissor kick from the England captain did more than just complete a perfect hat-trick against Albania after a header and left-footed strike. It completed a 5-0 victory on Friday that all but secured England’s place at the World Cup.

All that’s required to be sure of going to Qatar next November is a draw in the final qualifier on Monday away against San Marino — the world’s lowest-ranked team.

The 28-year-old Kane could well be rested after lighting up Wembley Stadium by taking his England tally to 44 goals, nine from catching Wayne Rooney’s national record. The striker, who has struggled for Tottenham this season, without a goal in five games, is now the record scorer in competitive matches for England with 39 goals, overtaking the retired Rooney.

“It was an incredible performance,” Kane said.

Argentina almost there

Sao Paulo: Argentina closed in on a direct World Cup spot with a 1-0 win at Uruguay, despite the absence of Lionel Messi for most of the match as he recovers from a left knee injury.

Veteran winger Angel di Maria scored the only goal in the seventh minute on Friday with a powerful left foot shot from the right corner of the penalty box. Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera wasn’t even close to stopping the ball.

Second-placed Argentina now have 28 points in 12 matches. The top-four teams in South America earn direct entry to the World Cup. The fifth-placed team goes into an intercontinental playoff for a spot in Qatar next year.

“Winning today was a gigantic step. We deserve this, we have worked for this,” Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said.

Italy, Swiss share spoils

Rome: Another missed penalty from Ballon d’Or candidate Jorginho means European champion Italy still have some work to do in order to qualify for the World Cup.

A 1-1 draw with visiting Switzerland on Friday kept Italy atop Group C entering the final round of qualifiers — but only on goal difference.

Silvan Widmer put Switzerland ahead early on with a booming shot from beyond the 18-yard box after being set up by Noah Okafor, who impressed in his first start for the national team.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo equalised for Italy before the break with a brave header to redirect a free-kick from Lorenzo Insigne inside a crowded area.

Jorginho had a chance to win it but blasted a 90th-minute penalty attempt over the bar. — AP