Harry Kane only has to think of the past two tournaments to dispel any doubts about not scoring at the World Cup so far, as England prepare to face Senegal in the round of 16.
The captain did pick up the Golden Boot as the top scorer at the last World Cup in Russia with six goals, but all of them came in his first three games. There was only frustration in front of goal in the next three, as England finished fourth.
The script changed at Euro 2020: no goals in the group stage, then four in the run to the final.
So the Tottenham striker arrives for the match against African champions Senegal at Al-Bayt Stadium later today buoyed by the performances at Euros, on reflection, more so than those at Russia 2018.
He said: “I started the tournament [Russia 2018] with a lot of goals, I used a lot of energy and as the tournament went on, I felt my performances dipped in the later stages.
“I was aware before Euro of trying to do it differently. Of course, I still wanted to start well, but I was trying to make sure that physically and mentally I was in the best place for the round of 16.” “
Now the 29-year-old feels free of any ankle problems, after an early concern in Qatar, and in fine form.
He said: “I feel as fit as I’ll ever feel. Only time will tell. I hope I can do well and be in top shape in these knockout games.”
“Form-wise, I feel like I’ve been playing well, goals are what will judge me the most, but as always, I’m a calm person and I always try to focus on the team and do my best for the team.” “
Kane with his World Cup Golden Boot trophy
His teammates shouldered the scoring load in the group stage, scoring nine goals, the most by an England team at this stage.
And yet he set up three goals, the most by an England player in a World Cup as david beckham 20 years ago.
Kane said: “I’d love to be sitting here with two or three goals now, sure, but I think the group stage has gone well.”
He only needs two goals to equalize Wayne RooneyThe record 53 goals for England. The priority is, of course, to take Los Tres Leones to another final and win their first trophy since 1966.
England will be favorites for the match, but manager Gareth Southgate will not take Senegal lightly.
“We are very impressed with Senegal,” he said.
“We know they are African champions and they are very proud and have great spirit and confidence in their team. They have great individual players who can cause problems, but also a good structure.”
“(Aliou) Cissé has done a fantastic job. They were very unlucky not to qualify from the group in Russia and they deservedly did so this time. We know the size of the job ahead of us.”
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Southgate says England ‘ready for penalties’
Southgate believes England are “mentally and physically” ready for another penalty shootout if the showdown with Senegal goes to the end.
The national team’s spot kick problems are well documented, with all three World Cup penalties ending in defeat before beating Colombia in the round of 16 four years ago in Russia.
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Who are England Senegal’s opponents?
England followed that up by winning bronze on spot kicks in the Nations League final against Switzerland in 2019, only for penalties to prove their undoing in last year’s European Championship final.
“Our goal is to win the game and avoid extra time if you can, and avoid penalties if you can, because you’d like to get a win in 90 minutes,” Southgate said.
“But if we need to get to 120 minutes, if we need to go further, then we have to be ready mentally and physically. And I think we are.”
