Kane's Goal Inspired by Maradona
Harry Kane revealed that advice from the late Diego Maradona played a role in his historic strike that propelled England into the World Cup semifinals. The Tottenham striker's goal, a powerful header in the 78th minute, secured a 2-1 win over France in the quarterfinal clash held in Doha.
Maradona's Words of Wisdom
Kane stated that Maradona, who passed away in 2020, had once told him to 'always stay calm in big moments and trust your instincts.' The England captain recalled the conversation during a press conference, saying, 'Diego was a legend, and his words have stayed with me. Tonight, I felt his presence on the pitch.'
Historic Achievement
The goal marked Kane's 12th in World Cup tournaments, tying him with Lionel Messi for the most among active players. It also moved him to joint-second on England's all-time scoring list, alongside Gary Lineker, with 48 international goals.
Match Details
England took an early lead through Jude Bellingham in the 17th minute, but France equalized via Kylian Mbappe's penalty just before halftime. The match remained tense until Kane's decisive header off a cross from Bukayo Saka.
Reactions
England manager Gareth Southgate praised Kane's leadership, saying, 'Harry is a world-class player who rises to the occasion. That goal was a testament to his character.' French captain Hugo Lloris, a teammate of Kane at Tottenham, added, 'He is a fantastic striker, and it's no surprise he scored such an important goal.'
Looking Ahead
England will face Brazil in the semifinals, a rematch of the 2002 quarterfinal that Brazil won 2-1. Kane expressed confidence, stating, 'We have a strong squad and believe we can go all the way.' The match is scheduled for December 13 at Lusail Stadium.
