No group stage goals? No bother. Harry Kane, it seems from the evidence of this World Cup and last year’s Euros, starts to hit his stride at the business end of major tournaments.
If you had said before the start of this World Cup that England would net nine goals in the group stage, courtesy of thumping wins over Iran and Wales, you would have got long odds of Kane not being on the list of goalscorers.
Cast your mind back to the summer before last, however, and it was the same at a Euros that England were a penalty shootout away from winning.
England’s captain had failed to score in the group but came alive to register against Germany in the last 16, twice against Ukraine in the quarter-finals and netted the extra-time winner against Denmark in the semis.
So you could forgive both player and Gareth Southgate for raising an eyebrow or two every time they were asked if the striker’s latest barren run was a concern.
Kane won the World Cup’s Golden Boot four years ago in Russia but had hitherto seen Marcus Rashford steal his thunder here with three goals – despite providing a trio of assists.
But you can’t keep a good striker down for long and Kane, who had insisted he was fully fit despite sustaining a knock against Iran, found his feet in style.
With England lacking tempo against Senegal for most of the opening half, Kane had continued to drop deep.
And it was from such a position that he was to be the catalyst for England’s opening goal, gaining possession and feeding Jude Bellingham with a slide-rule pass to set up Jordan Henderson.
Before last night’s game Kane had mustered four goal attempts in the tournament – and he scooped over a fifth from Bukayo Saka’s cross.
It mattered not. A few minutes later he buried his 52nd international goal in true Kane style. Now bring on France…
MORE : Beers go absolutely flying after England take the lead against Senegal
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
