Harry Kane marked his record-breaking 126th England appearance by converting a penalty that settled a 2-1 Nations League win over Croatia, sending Thomas Tuchel’s side into the quarter-finals. It was a fitting moment for a striker who has turned a painful memory from Qatar into a source of motivation.
Asked recently about the lowest point of his England career, Kane recalled the penalty he sent high over the bar against France at the World Cup. He has since scored many more from the spot, and he said the setback had pushed him to improve. On this night, he showed that lesson again. His 92nd international goal was a calm, low kick down the middle, and Dominik Livakovic got a trailing leg to it but could not keep it out.
A carefully prepared spot-kick
Kane explained that he had worked on the choice in training, having studied the goalkeeper’s previous penalties. He said he had not gone down the middle with a spot-kick for three or four years, and that keeping his technique fresh was important. His first penalty after a rare miss for Bayern Munich last month had shown the same resilience.
England far from their best
England were comfortable winners, but they were far from convincing. Their 7-0 win over Croatia in Rijeka last month looked a distant memory, as the hosts were more cautious and England were sloppy at the back. Trent Alexander-Arnold gave the ball away near his own box, Lewis Hall attempted a flashy flick that went out of play, and Jarell Quansah unintentionally set up Croatia’s equaliser with a header inside his own six-yard area. Jude Bellingham, who was frustrated by his team-mates’ mistakes, was also below his best.
England had started slowly but improved midway through the first half. Kane’s pass opened up Croatia’s defence and found Bellingham at the far post, whose cross was turned home by Morgan Rogers. Kane then had a clear chance early in the second half, but Josip Stanisic got in front of him to block his effort.
Croatia levelled when Quansah tried a backwards header towards Jordan Pickford, which Petar Sucic intercepted and turned into the net. Quansah soon made amends, as his run into the area led to a foul by Ivan Smolcic. The referee, Morten Krogh, initially waved away the appeal, but VAR intervened and Kane made no mistake from the spot.
A special night before kick-off
The evening also carried a ceremonial element. A large tifo behind one goal celebrated Kane’s landmark, and he walked out with his four children as mascots. Before the match, he was presented with gifts by Peter Shilton, Luka Modric and Prince William.
Kane admitted that the emotional weight of recent weeks had been considerable. He said the record was a major milestone in English football history, and that once the whistle blew, his focus returned to the job at hand.
What comes next
England now travel to Madrid to face Spain on Sunday, where a win would secure top spot in the group. It would also be a strong statement, following a narrow 3-2 defeat to the world champions at Wembley in September.
Kane is already targeting his next cap, number 127, and his longer-term ambitions include reaching 100 England goals, winning the Champions League with Bayern and claiming a major trophy with his country. The Nations League may not be considered a major honour by everyone, but it offers England a chance to end their 60-year wait for a men’s trophy. If they succeed, it would be fitting for Kane, now widely regarded as England’s greatest player, to be the one lifting it.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
