MY ACCOUNT
Harry Kane’s World Cup ended in World Cup penalty heartbreak — but he must now pick himself up to spearhead Tottenham’s Premier League campaign.
Kane, 29, performed well as he led the line for England in Qatar.
Yet his tournament will be remembered for his second spot-kick against France, which he blazed over the bar to condemn the Three Lions to a quarter-final exit.
Recovering from the psychological blow will be difficult but the England skipper has no time to lick his wounds as club football returns.
Ahead of Tottenham’s trip to Brentford on Boxing Day, we take a look at how Kane can get back on track.
World Cup heartbreak
This was supposed to be Kane’s moment. When he stepped up to take what would have been a second equalising penalty against France, most would have backed him to convert.
But his effort sailed over the bar to leave a nation in disbelief.
Young Lion Jude Bellingham embraced his captain after the miss but Kane looked inconsolable — and understandably so.
The Tottenham striker had been enjoying a strong tournament, delivering two goals and three assists in five appearances.
Getting back on track
It remains to be seen how Kane will respond to such crushing disappointment.
Speaking after the game with Les Bleus, it was clear he intended to use it as fuel for success.
He said: “[I am] absolutely gutted. We have given it everything and it has come down to a small detail, which I take responsibility for.
“There is no hiding from it — it hurts and it will take some time to get over it but that is part of sport.
“Now it is all about using the experience to be mentally and physically stronger for the next challenge.
“Thanks for all the support throughout the tournament. It means a lot.”
Back to the grind
Unusually, due to the timing of this year’s winter World Cup, club football has returned almost immediately after the tournament.
Antonio Conte’s side are fourth in the Premier League and embroiled in a battle for a place in next season’s Champions League.
Spurs are one point behind third-placed Newcastle and three clear of Manchester United in fifth, while Liverpool and Chelsea are expected to recover and make up ground following the break.
Tottenham also have a Champions League last-16 tie with Italian giants AC Milan to look forward to.
Battling a behemoth
Kane enjoyed a strong start to the league campaign — he has contributed 12 goals and one assist in 15 appearances.
In terms of the individual battle to win the Golden Boot, however, he has a serious battle on his hands.
Leading the way in the standings is Manchester City’s Erling Haaland with 18 goals and three assists.
Kane may ruefully look at the service Haaland receives at City, given his own attempts to join Pep Guardiola’s relentless winning machine were unsuccessful.
Haaland, 22, is averaging a goal every 58 minutes — an inhuman pace Kane will struggle to match.
He may simply have to hope the Norwegian is unable to maintain the scoring rate he has set.
Supporting cast
With Heung-Min Son and Richarlison also in Conte’s squad, Kane will not have to shoulder Tottenham’s goalscoring burden alone.
Son’s pedigree is already well known in the English top flight and Richarlison exploded into the spotlight in Qatar.
Leading the line for Brazil, he scored three goals in four games before his side were eliminated by Croatia in the quarter-finals.
Richarlison, 25, joined Spurs from Everton last summer and has yet to score in the league but has contributed two assists.
Revitalised and full of confidence, he could help Kane unlock a new level to his game — starting at Brentford.
