England vs Albania live score and result updates: World Cup qualifier latest as Harry Kane scores hat-trick

England are on the verge of World Cup qualification after a resounding 5-0 win over Albania with all five goals being scored in the first half.

Harry Maguire opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a firm header from Reece James's free-kick.

Nine minutes later, Harry Kane got the first goal of his hat-trick after heading home Jordan Henderson's cross from the right.

Just shy of the half hour mark, provider Henderson turned scorer as his give-and-go with Kane on the edge of the box allowed him to beat a defender and slot his finish into the bottom right corner.

Kane finished off his perfect three-piece in style with his second a fierce left-footed drive from a tight angle and his third a scissor kick directly from a corner just before half-time.

That win means England remain top of Group I on 23 points, but Poland's 4-1 win over 10-man Andorra means Gareth Southgate's men have not yet officially qualified for the World Cup.

With San Marino to play on Monday night, England will have to avoid defeat and hope Poland do not beat Hungary by six goals to confirm their place in Qatar.

Background reading:

Taking the plunge and playing first-team football in Europe can only benefit England’s next generation

(Photo: John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)