Archive 1990: Peter Shilton’s 125th Cap Record Falls to Harry Kane
Harry Kane became England's most-capped men's player with a 126th appearance in a 2-1 Nations League win over Croatia at Wembley. The archive from 1990 shows how Peter Shilton's record 125th cap ended in defeat to Italy in Bari.
England captain Harry Kane became the country's most-capped men's player by winning his 126th cap in a 2-1 Nations League victory over Croatia at Wembley. He passed the 125 appearances goalkeeper Peter Shilton won between 1970 and 1990.
The archive from 1990 shows how Shilton's run ended. His 125th and final cap came on July 9, 1990, in the third-place play-off against Italy in Bari at the World Cup. England lost 2-1.
Shilton's last night in Bari
Shilton wore the captain's armband in an unloved fixture. England had lost on penalties to West Germany in the semi-finals. It was also Bobby Robson's last game as England manager.
In the 71st minute, Shilton lost concentration while clearing a back pass. Roberto Baggio stole the ball and scored Italy's opening goal.
David Platt equalised with a headed finish. Schillaci then won the game with a penalty, which made him the tournament's top scorer and Golden Boot winner.
Shilton announced his international retirement that night. "I would just like to say how much I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 20 years," he said. Of his error, he said of his teammates: "No one, though, seemed to mind much."
Robson had picked him so the goalkeeper could finish at the top. "I shall miss it greatly. It has been my life for eight years," Robson said.
Kane's record night at Wembley
Kane had drawn level with Shilton on October 6, scoring twice in a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic at Wembley. He is 33. The record came less than three weeks after he became the first Englishman in 25 years to win the Ballon d'Or.
Wembley marked the milestone before kick-off. A giant banner of Kane was unfurled in the West Stand, and he showed his Ballon d'Or trophy to the crowd.
Shilton handed Kane a commemorative cap. Prince William presented a framed shirt, and Croatia captain Luka Modric gave him a glass-encased football, a replica of the first ball England took to Croatia in 1880.
Kane then helped decide the game. Playing deeper in midfield, he slipped a diagonal pass through for Jude Bellingham, whose cut-back let Morgan Rogers score the opener. Kane's penalty won it.
The goal was his 92nd for England, eight short of 100. It leaves him level with Robert Lewandowski in equal sixth on the men's international scoring list. Romelu Lukaku, on 94, is the only active player ahead of him.
"It's achievable," Kane told reporters of reaching 100 international goals. "It was another important goal to help us with the win. A nice penalty, I missed my last penalty at Bayern so the next one is always important to bounce back."
England play Spain in Madrid next. A win would make Thomas Tuchel's side seeded for the Nations League quarter-finals at Easter, with the finals to follow next June.
