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DOHA. — Harry Kane equalled England’s scoring record with his 53rd goal – but his night ended in anguish with a 2-1 FIFA World Cup quarter-final defeat by France on Saturday night.
Kane levelled Wayne Rooney’s mark with a second-half penalty in Qatar.
But the 29-year-old spurned the chance to surpass Rooney when he missed a second spot-kick later in the game.
“It’s tough to take for me personally and the team,” Kane told BBC Sport. “It will be something I have to live with and take on the chin.”
He added: “I couldn’t be prouder of the boys. We had better spells, better chances but football comes down to small details – as the captain and the one who missed the penalty, I take responsibility for that.
“I can’t fault my preparation or the details before the game. I felt confident taking it, just didn’t execute it the way I wanted to.”
The Tottenham striker scored his first England goal 79 seconds into his debut in 2015 – the year before Rooney netted his last.
Kane has achieved his tally at a remarkable rate, with his latest coming in just his 80th appearance.
Against France, Kane coolly drilled the first penalty into the bottom corner from 12 yards to make it 1-1.
But with England trailing 2-1, he blazed a second opportunity over the bar in the 84th minute.
“We know how many penalties Harry has scored for us, how many goals he has contributed to even get us here,” said team-mate Jordan Henderson.
“He will be stronger for this in the future. He is a world-class striker and our captain. He will bounce back.”
England boss Gareth Southgate added: “As you would expect, Harry is very, very low, but he has nothing to reproach himself for. We are in the position we are because of his leadership and goals.
“We win and lose as a team. He’s been incredible for us and reliable in those situations; we wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for him.”
Former England striker Chris Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I really feel for Harry Kane. He’s a brilliant goalscorer.
“I think there are people out there who think he shouldn’t have taken the second penalty. I think he should have. That will live with him forever.”
Kane has been in stellar form for England since March 2021, scoring 21 times in 29 games, including seven in the space of four days in World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino in November last year.
He now jointly leads a group of six Englishmen to have scored more than 40 goals for the Three Lions.
Ellen White is England’s leading women’s scorer, having netted 52 goals in 113 appearances before she retired after they won Euro 2022.
With 49 goals to his name, Sir Bobby Charlton held the men’s record for 45 years until he was surpassed by Rooney in 2015.
Kane had just three England goals when Rooney broke Charlton’s record, but has scored at a phenomenal rate since. — BBC Sport
Online Reporter