Harry Kane has signalled his intention to play every game he can for both club and country as he chases long-awaited silverware.
David Brooks came off the bench to spare Wales World Cup qualifying defeat in North Macedonia while Newcastle striker Alexander Isak led Northern Ireland a merry dance in their 5-1 friendly defeat in Sweden.
Elsewhere, Rangers have been fined and hit with a suspended partial stadium closure following the home leg of their Europa League last 16 clash with Fenerbahce.
Harry’s game
England captain Harry Kane insists he would never refuse to play as he goes in search of trophies despite admitting players do not have a voice when it comes to scheduling.
With Kane’s Bayern Munich in contention for the Champions League and involved in this summer’s first edition of the revamped Club World Cup, either side of an international window, he could go without a meaningful summer break.
But the 31-year-old, yet to lift a major trophy in his career, said: “I don’t think the players are listened to that much, if I’m totally honest. But everyone wants their piece, their tournament, their prize, and the players kind of have to get on with it.
“But it is what it is. I love playing football, so I’m never going to complain about playing football.”
Super-sub Brooks comes to Wales’ rescue
Dai Brooks, mun. 😍 pic.twitter.com/fD1tuO8HAc
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) March 25, 2025
David Brooks salvaged Wales a precious 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against North Macedonia with almost the last kick of the match in Skopje.
Wales were the better side throughout but North Macedonia scored in the first minute of stoppage time as substitute Joe Allen’s horrible back pass, intended for Joe Rodon, was cut out by Bojan Miovski who finished brilliantly under Karl Darlow.
Wales seemed down and out, but in the sixth extra minute Kieffer Moore got his head to a long ball and Brooks squeezed it across the line.
Alexander the Great
Alexander Isak brought his sparkling Premier League form to the international stage as a young Northern Ireland were soundly beaten 5-1 in their friendly in Sweden.
Newcastle frontman Isak made one with a mesmerising run and scored another with a sumptuous strike to end the visitors’ five-match unbeaten run.
Michael O’Neill’s side, with an average age of 22.6 years on kick-off, had their chances but were wasteful until Isaac Price’s late consolation.
Rangers warning to fans
Rangers have warned an element of their support they are “harming” the club in the wake of sanctions imposed by UEFA following their Europa League last 16 home clash with Fenerbahce.
The club was found guilty of “racist and/or discriminatory behaviour” after a banner was displayed bearing the message “Keep woke foreign ideologies out – defend Europe”, prompting a 30,000 euros fine and a partial stadium closure, suspended for two years.
A statement from the club said: “This punishment must serve as a severe and significant reminder to the small minority of supporters who bring the name of Rangers into disrepute.
“Not only will the reputation and finances of the club be harmed by such a punishment, but the chances of the team in a potentially-key European match will also suffer enormously, while thousands of innocent fans will be unable to attend a massive fixture.”
What’s on today?
Arsenal face an uphill task to make it to the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League as they attempt to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit against Real Madrid.
The Gunners succumbed to goals from Linda Caicedo and Athenea del Castillo on a dreadful pitch at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano last Tuesday night.
