Alan Shearer believes Harry Kane’s first Euro 2020 goal can ‘ignite’ England talisman’s tournament after he nods home crucial second against Germany at Wembley… having missed ‘sitter’ in first-half during last-16 tie
Harry Kane was lambasted for his first-half miss against Germany at Wembley, only to respond in emphatic style with the goal that secured England’s place in the Euro 2020 quarter-final.
After Raheem Sterling pounced on a loose ball inside the German half, the Manchester City star’s driving run was ended on the edge of the area, before the ball broke kindly for Kane.
However, The Tottenham forward took a heavy touch with his left foot as he tried to round Manuel Neuer inside the six-yard box, allowing Mats Hummels to get back and clear the danger.
Harry Kane grabbed his first goal of the Euros to head home against Germany at Wembley
The England skipper’s strike late in the second half secured their progression to the last eight
It typified a disappointing first half for Kane, who had just nine touches throughout the first forty-five minutes, and even for large swathes of the second period the frontman struggled to assert himself on proceedings.
However, Kane showed exactly why he is the man Gareth Southgate has relied upon to lead the line all tournament, as he nodded home from Jack Grealish’s cross to make it 2-0, after Raheem Sterling had steered the hosts in front.
Speaking at full-time, Alan Shearer said: ‘That’s what happens when you put balls in the box, people who are prepared to run at people, big performances.
Harry Kane missed England’s best chance of the half as they failed to find a way past Germany
The No 9 tried to round Manuel Neuer, but his heavy touch allowed Mats Hummels to recover
‘We’ve been waiting for Harry to ignite – that might start his tournament off.
‘His movement wasn’t great, that’s what starts you off. He should’ve put it away in the first but you keep on going, that is just what might get him going now.’
Shearer had struck a different chord in the first half after Kane had struggled to make his mark on proceedings.
After watching back the striker’s miss in the first half, he said: ‘You’re confident Harry Kane sticks it away – Sterling does well, it falls perfectly for Kane – can he stick it away with left foot?
‘He tries not to, really poor touch, Sterling does well to get it there, falls kindly for him, but that’s a sitter – a big, big chance he’s been waiting for.
‘Harry’s got to offer more, there’s talk of him coming deep but look at his movement, he doesn’t move at all, he’s got to try to help the team much more than he’s doing.
‘They’re not helping with the balls up to him but he’s had nine touches in the game so far, he should be screaming if that ball’s not coming in. He got into positions where his movement must be better. Have a go at them when it doesn’t come in.’
Kane had endured a tricky tournament, failing to net in any of England’s three group games.
Kane endured a disappointing opening forty-five minutes at Wembley on Tuesday afternoon
Rio Ferdinand had echoed concerns over his failure to fire, suggesting his movement didn’t match his club performances at Tottenham.
However, after watching him fire home the key second goal he said: ‘Harry Kane needed this goal, big goal.’
England will now face either Sweden or Ukraine in the quarter-finals in Rome on Saturday.