Harry Kane is determined to make up for his penalty miss during England’s World Cup quarter-final loss to France in 2022, describing it as the lowest moment of his career. The England captain, who has been in sensational form, missed a crucial penalty in the 84th minute, which ultimately led to a 2-1 defeat. Kane admitted that the experience has driven him to become a better player and is fueling his ambition to help England lift the World Cup trophy in 2026.
The Bayern Munich striker acknowledged that missing such a high-stakes penalty, especially after successfully converting countless others, was incredibly difficult to process. He described the responsibility he felt during that moment as overwhelming. “To have that responsibility, you almost feel like it fell on my shoulders,” Kane reflected. “I guess not being able to execute something that I’ve been able to execute many times in my career was the hardest part to take.”
Since that moment in Qatar, Kane has worked tirelessly to improve his penalty-taking technique, incorporating a stuttered run-up that allows him to wait for the goalkeeper’s movement before striking the ball. This adjustment has paid off, with Kane converting 31 penalties in a row, until a miss earlier this season with Bayern Munich. Despite this setback, he remains confident in his ability to deliver under pressure.
The England captain’s determination to reach greater heights was evident in his recent performances, including a brace in England’s 5-0 victory over Latvia, which secured the team’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup. With 76 goals for his country, Kane is well on track to break Wayne Rooney’s record and potentially reach 100 international goals.
Kane’s current form is considered the best of his career, and he is determined to maintain this level of performance until the World Cup next summer. He is confident that his penalty-taking, along with his overall game, has improved, allowing him to perform better than ever before. Kane’s resilience and drive are key reasons why he remains one of the most formidable forwards in world football today
