Harry Kane Bags First Half Hat Trick as England on The Brink of Qualifying for 2022 World Cup

• Harry Kane scored a first-half hat-trick as England thrashed Albania 5-0 to edge closer to Qatar 2022
• The Tottenham star was in scintillating form as he capped his streak with a stunning scissors kick
• England now need a solitary point in their next match against San Marino to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar

England are on the brink of World Cup qualification as Harry Kane bagged a hat trick to help his country to a comfortable 5-0 win over Albania in Wembley on Friday, November 12.

The Tottenham star scored the perfect hat-trick in the first half, including a superb bicycle kick, to leave England needing a solitary point to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

It was Manchester United captain Harry Maguire who set England up for victory with a towering header to open the scoring after nine minutes from a Reece James free kick, with Kane adding a second moments later from a Jordan Henderson cross.

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Henderson then got in on the act and after a swift exchange with Kane, the Liverpool midfielder squeezed the ball past the keeper from a few yards out.

Kane then made it a brace for himself after squeezing the ball from a tight angle in the 33rd minute to put the game beyond Albania.

The forward then made it a hat trick for himself and 5-0 on the night with a stunning scissors kick from Phil Foden's corner.

His third goal meant Kane went level with Jimmy Greaves on 44 England goals.

He also broke Wayne Rooney’s record as he has now scored 39 competitive goals for England, compared to Rooney’s 37.

After the emphatic result, England now only need a draw against San Marino to secure their ticket to Qatar.

Brazil qualify for 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Brazil on Thursday night, November 11, became the first South American team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after beating Colombia 1-0 with Lucas Paqueta netting the goal.

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But it was not an easy encounter for Neymar and his teammates as Colombia showed they were worthy opponents from start to finish.

However, Brazil were the ones who had the breakthrough in the 72nd minute through Lucas Paqueta.

The Lyon star beat goalkeeper David Ospina from close range as Brazil maintained their unbeaten run in the World Cup qualifiers.

Brazil are now leading the 10-team South American group with 34 points from 12 games.

The top four teams qualify automatically for Qatar 2022 and the fifth-placed side goes into an inter-regional playoff.