Monday’s briefing: Captain Kane scores again as Ireland leave it late in Hungary

England completed a perfect World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Albania in Tirana.

The Republic of Ireland secured a play-off spot in dramatic fashion after Troy Parrott completed his hat-trick deep in stoppage time to seal victory against Hungary.

In the Women’s Super League, Chelsea lost further ground to Manchester City after drawing with Liverpool, while Arsenal were also held by Tottenham.

Kane strikes again

Harry Kane’s late double earned England an eighth victory in qualifying without conceding a goal.

Having sealed their place in North America with two matches to spare, the back-to-back European Championship runners-up ended their first year under Thomas Tuchel as it began.

Tuchel oversaw a 2-0 triumph against Albania in his first match as England boss and 240 days later saw his much-changed side survive a couple of scares on their way to victory by the same scoreline in Tirana.

Bukayo Saka’s corner was touched on for Kane to prod England ahead in the 74th minute, with the national team’s all-time top scorer then nodding home substitute Marcus Rashford’s brilliant cross in the 82nd minute.

Afterwards, Tuchel addressed a show of frustration from Jude Bellingham when he was substituted, saying: “That’s the decision, and he has to accept the decision. His friend is waiting on the sideline, so you need to accept it, respect it, and keep on going.”

Parrott soars for Ireland

Parrott scored a superb hat-trick as the Republic of Ireland snatched a World Cup play-off place from Hungary’s grasp with a dramatic 3-2 win in Budapest.

Parrott cancelled out Daniel Lukacs’ early header from the penalty spot and levelled for a second time after Barnabas Varga’s stunning first-half strike.

He then secured an unlikely victory in the sixth minute of stoppage time on a day when only three points were enough for Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men to keep their dream alive.

Ireland rather than Hungary will take part in March’s shoot-out by virtue of finishing in second place behind Portugal, who trounced Armenia 9-1 to clinch top spot.

Parrott, who also scored twice in Ireland’s win over Portugal on Thursday, told RTE: “I’m really, really emotional. They’re tears of joy. Ah, what a night, what a night.

“I said against Portugal that this is what dreams are made of, but this tonight, I don’t think I’ll ever have a better night in my whole life.”

Chelsea and Arsenal frustrated

Chelsea lost more ground at the top of the Women’s Super League after being held to a 1-1 draw by Liverpool – although the Blues still set a new league record of 34 successive games unbeaten.

The visitors, looking to close back to within a point of leaders Manchester City following their impressive derby win on Saturday, took an early lead through Alyssa Thompson, but Beata Olsson equalised before the break.

Chelsea substitute Aggie Beever-Jones saw a second-half goal ruled out for offside as Sonia Bompastor’s side were left three points behind City and must now regroup for their Champions League clash against Barcelona on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, Arsenal were held to a goalless draw by Tottenham in a dismal north London derby at the BetWright Stadium.

Gabriel worry for Arsenal

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes was released from international duty with Brazil after suffering a thigh injury during a 2-0 friendly win over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium.

Gabriel went down just before the hour mark on Saturday afternoon and received treatment before being substituted.

Brazil issued an update on the Gunners centre-back on Sunday, confirming he would now return to the Premier League leaders for further treatment.

Gabriel’s absence would be a major blow for the Gunners after a fine start to the season based on a firm defence, which has conceded just five goals in 11 Premier League games.

Arsenal face Tottenham in the North London derby next Sunday.

What’s on today?

Northern Ireland will hope to finish strongly in their World Cup qualifying group when they take on Luxembourg at Windsor Park.

There is nothing riding on the game, with Northern Ireland guaranteed a play-off place via the Nations League, but boss Michael O’Neill is looking for a positive response to Friday’s loss against Slovakia.