The fairytale just doesn’t stop for Newcastle United hero Dan Burn.
Little under a week after Burn scored the opening goal in Newcastle United’s stunning Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool, the towering defender made his England debut.
Burn impressed for England as the Three Lions began the Thomas Tuchel era with a 2-0 win over Albania in the first of their qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Indeed, it almost got even better as Burn was close to scoring his first goal for England with a powerful first-half header after a Declan Rice corner.
While Tuchel’s side hardly blew onlookers away, it was a solid evening for the Newcastle hero.
In fact, skipper Harry Kane was impressed.
Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Harry Kane reacts as Newcastle hero Dan Burn makes England debut
Burn played the entire game for the Three Lions, although club teammate Anthony Gordon endured a worse evening at the national home of football.
Gordon was spotted with a slight limp while leaving Wembley, no doubt raising concern at Newcastle after suffering a hip injury.
However, the major story was unquestionably Burn as his career hit another new height.
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Speaking after the game, captain Harry Kane talked of how impressed he was.
“Great debut from Dan, his first game today so delighted for him,” he told Optus Sport.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer was naturally delighted for Burn.
Shearer thinks Burn impressed for England and it will be fascinating to see if the 32-year-old plays against Latvia on Monday night.
The defender earned his cap on merit. Tuchel values Burn’s versatility and thinks he can bring a leadership quality into the squad, while the player himself has stressed he has not joined up to simply be a cheerleader.
Stat Number Team rank
Aerial duels won 4 1st
Touches 153 1st
Tackles 2 =1st
Clearances 7 1st
Dan Burn’s England debut, stats via WhoScored
England did not thrill but that was hardly Burn’s fault. No one in a Three Lions shirt won more aerial duels (4), made more clearances (7), contributed more tackles (2) or had as many touches (123).
Frustration about the header aside, it looked a successful night.