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Harry Kane hailed England’s mentality after a 3-0 win over Senegal set up a World Cup quarter-final showdown with France.
Skipper Kane’s strike in first-half stoppage time saw him become his country’s highest scorer at major tournaments after Jordan Henderson broke the deadlock seven minutes before the break.
Bukayo Saka, recalled to the starting line-up in place of Marcus Rashford, wrapped up a comfortable victory at the Al Bayt Stadium in the 57th minute as Gareth Southgate’s side secured a daunting clash with Les Bleus on Saturday.
But Kane, 29, was quick to suggest the Three Lions will not be worried by the threat of Kylian Mbappe and Co.
He said: “I think we’ve showed great maturity through the tournament.
“Winning 3-0 against a really good side, credit to the boys, the mentality was top from the beginning and we took our chances when they came.
“We feel good, we’ve got good runners, good players getting forward and it’s solid at the back. Three clean sheets in a row is really important.”
Commenting on his goal, which leaves him one behind Wayne Rooney’s all-time England record of 53 goals, Kane added: “I had so much time, the ball just sat up nicely, the connection was perfect.
“I had a chance before that which I should have done better with, so it was nice to see that one go in.
“I’m a striker, so whenever I score I’m always happy.”
Raheem Sterling missed the victory after armed intruders reportedly broke into his house overnight while his family were there.
With the shaken Chelsea star returning to England, Southgate would not be drawn on whether Sterling would feature again in Qatar.
The Three Lions boss, 52, said: “We’ve got to wait and see. At the moment, clearly the priority is for him to be with his family.
“We’re going to support that and we’re going leave him to have as much time as he needs. He’s going home.
“I really don’t know [the likelihood of him returning] because at the moment it’s a situation that he needs time with his family and I don’t want to put him under any pressure with that.
“Sometimes football isn’t the most important thing and family should come first.”
