He can still do it – and how! In the first three games of the tournament, Harry Kane did not score a goal of his own, although England scored a remarkable nine goals. The criticism of Kane was limited on the island because the center forward suddenly shone in a new role: as a template provider.
The captain was also instrumental in the opening goal in the round of 16 duel with Senegal, which England won 3-0. England combined from back to front, past all 11 opponents, in what was the most impressive goal of the tournament to date. Central defender Harry Maguire initiated the attack with a pass to the left. There, Luke Shaw and Phil Foden let the ball run in a rehearsed move before Kane, who skilfully dropped back, managed an excellent through ball to Jude Bellingham, who was moving up for him. His cross came right into the path of Jordan Henderson, who effortlessly converted the pass in the 38th minute of the game – which actually cleared the way to the quarter-finals.
The remaining doubts dissolved a few minutes later when Kane slammed the ball into the goal after a counterattack – so hard that the impact should have been heard at home in England. In the past few days, it has been joked in the local pubs that if Kane continued to act so selflessly, he would no longer catch up with compatriot Wayne Rooney as his country’s record goalscorer. After his 52nd goal in the England jersey, he is now just a mere goal away from that. He’ll probably make it.
In the quarter-finals there is a showdown between England and France
England’s safe victory over Senegal confirmed the trend of this World Cup: The group winners continue to show no weaknesses in Qatar. All of the preliminary round winners in groups A to D have reached the quarter-finals, which means there will be the first big showdown of the tournament on Saturday: defending champion France meets co-favorite England. And now, with Senegal eliminated, Morocco are the last remaining African nation in the tournament.
From an English point of view, the duel with Senegal was similar to the exchange of blows with Colombia in the round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup. Both opponents should not be underestimated, but were considered feasible tasks. As such, the game was a gauge for the motherland of football of how coach Gareth Southgate has progressed his selection over the years. Four years ago England needed a penalty shootout to win. This time the game was decided after regulation time – or after 57 minutes, when Bukayo Saka scored to make it 3-0.
With England never really in danger of surviving the first round, Southgate used the games primarily to test the form of his players. With almost everyone justifying his effort, he was able to choose from all the players in his squad against Senegal apart from Raheem Sterling, who was absent due to personal reasons. He opted for a tactical and personnel Best of from previous encounters, including the 4-3-3 formation, which was rarely practiced before the tournament and which, thanks to a nomination by Henderson, provides additional stability in midfield. In addition, Southgate trusted left winger Phil Foden in the starting XI for the first time in a knockout phase.
The coach was correct with both measures. Foden justified his line-up with several good offensive scenes such as the direct preparation for the third goal. His ball security was one reason for the dominance of the English, who also acted calmly and in control against Senegal. That is not to be taken for granted in a match in which the pressure on the team was great because the nation expected a mandatory win. From an orderly build-up of play, England patiently waited for their chance and tried to pull apart the dense defensive lines of the Senegalese with many game shifts – which initially proved to be difficult.
Without Sadio Mané, the Senegalese lack the clout on the offensive
The core of the Senegalese consists of a presentable defensive trio of goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and central defenders Abdou Diallo and Kalidou Koulibaly, but without the injured Sadio Mané and the suspended Idrissa Gueye the West Africans lacked any power in attack. The few notable goal approaches only came about after the English lost the ball during build-up play. Saka and Harry Maguire each made faulty passes, which Ismaïla Sarr and Boulaye Dia almost took advantage of in the early stages. Sarr rushed the ball over from close range, and Dia’s shot was parried superbly by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Coach Southgate began resting his key players early in the second half. Only Harry Kane remained on the field to the end. Presumably to score his record goal – for which he still has to wait a bit. At least until the quarterfinals against France.