Harry Kane sent England into the World Cup last-16 with two goals against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, setting up a demanding tie against Mexico in Mexico City. The strikes were the England captain’s 83rd and 84th in 118 international appearances, placing him among the tournament’s Golden Boot contenders with five goals from his first four matches.
The Bayern Munich forward’s second goal drew particular praise for its technical quality, struck with the inside of the foot while off-balance late in the match. Former France striker Thierry Henry analysed the finish on television, noting the difficulty of generating power in such circumstances.
Peak physical condition
Kane’s performances have been underpinned by remarkable physical output. He has covered 43,433 metres at the tournament, more than any England player, and has found the net 72 times for club and country this season.
“It’s probably the best I’ve felt in my career,” Kane said. “I made a conscious effort at the start of this season to be even fitter, to take care of myself even more, looking at different ways to recover better.”
The captain’s endurance has set the tone for the squad. “If you’ve got the leaders training and running like I do, it only helps,” he added. “You’ve seen that in the games. I’m willing to run more and do whatever it takes to help the team.”
Altitude challenge awaits
England now face the test of the Azteca Stadium and the thin air of Mexico City’s altitude. Kane acknowledged the difficulty of preparing for such conditions while managing the broader demands of a tournament schedule.
“There is not much we could do with altitude training,” he explained. “We did heat training in Florida for 10 days to acclimatise. The altitude was almost impossible to prepare for, unless we stayed in Mexico the whole time or based there for 10 days. Logistically, that wouldn’t have been great for the rest of the tournament.”
He added: “We have to deal with adversity every now and then. We’re doing as much as we can with little tips to help us. We’ll have to deal with it. If we get through it then all of those things will make the win feel even more special.”
The last-16 tie represents a critical juncture for England, with Kane’s form offering hope of progression despite concerns elsewhere in the squad. His understanding with Jude Bellingham has provided the team’s main attacking threat, while defensive injuries and midfield fatigue present ongoing challenges for the management.