Summer 2021, the last 16 of the European Championship. England go to Wembley to face arch-rivals Germany. Harry Kane has not scored a single goal in the tournament, which has caused a wave of criticism in the media and on social media. Everyone expected him to lead, score, make a decisive contribution – but so far the captain of the national team seemed a shadow of himself. Comparisons with previous tournaments became more and more obvious. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Kane started the tournament brilliantly, scoring six goals in the first four matches. His composure in front of the opponents’ goal was amazing, and many experts predicted that he would become a key figure at Euro 2020. However, this time everything was different. The opponents’ strategy had changed, and Kane could not seem to find his rhythm.
It is no wonder that expectations were so high. Kane is not only the country’s top scorer, but also the winner of the Premier League Golden Boot. His game has always been based on finding space, breaking down opponents and, most importantly, scoring. But something has clearly gone wrong in this tournament. Unusually for him, he often found himself in the shadows, unable to find the right positions and, as a result, not receiving passes. All this contributed to the growing panic among fans and analysts. Against this background of pressure, the match against Germany was a real test. Wembley was full – the stands thundered with emotion. Every touch of Kane’s ball caused sighs and cries of support, but also discontent when he lost the ball or did not finish the attack. The opponents knew that they were under pressure not only from the game, but also from history. England and Germany have always been full of tension and drama, and this match was no exception. The first half was tense. Both teams played cautiously, not wanting to make mistakes. Kane, playing as a centre forward, often dropped back into midfield to help the team, but this also meant that he was missing out on being in the right place at the right time. Chances for him to score arose, but they always eluded him.
The second half began with a bright attack from England. The team, led by manager Gareth Southgate, began to show more aggression. And then, finally, Kane got his chance. In the 75th minute, after a great combination, he found himself one on one with the goalkeeper. In that moment, time seemed to stand still. Seeing the ball rolling towards him, Kane seemed to remember all his previous achievements. He confidently shot and the ball flew into the net. Wembley exploded with delight. This goal was not only the decisive moment of the match, but also a turning point for Kane himself. He lifted the burden of expectations and criticism. He then showed himself to be a true leader, providing an assist to his teammate who sealed England’s victory. The match ended 2-0 in favour of the Three Lions.
After this game, Kane became a hero again. His confidence returned and the critics fell silent. This match was an important stage in his career, showing that even in the most difficult moments he can rise up and show his best qualities. In the following games of the tournament, he continued to score and lead the team to success, becoming one of the brightest players of the championship. Thus, the match against Germany not only became a symbol of struggle and overcoming, but also proved that true leaders know how to cope with pressure. Kane once again took his rightful place in the pantheon of English football, reminding everyone that with every fall there is an ascent.
Throughout the first half, Kane dropped back a lot, opened up between the lines, but did not receive enough incisive passes. However, his work without the ball was excellent, drawing defenders towards him, creating space for Sterling and Mount. And everything changed in the second half. In the second half, Southgate, realizing that the team needed a more aggressive approach, made adjustments to his tactics. He encouraged Kane to take a more advanced position to take advantage of his scoring instincts. This change was key – as soon as Kane began to move more into the penalty area, he became more visible. Sterling and Foden began to actively join the attack, creating many opportunities. First, in the 52nd minute, there was a dangerous moment. Kane, having received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, made a sharp run, confidently beating one defender. His shot went into the far corner, but the German goalkeeper managed to save the ball. However, this was a signal for the team: Kane was back in the game, and his presence on the field was felt.
With each new moment, Kane’s confidence grew. He found himself in more and more shooting positions, and the German defenders began to show nervousness. Kane used this to create additional moments for his teammates. His unity with Sterling and Mount became noticeable – they began to combine, using quick movements and passes. The culmination of this interaction was the 75th minute moment, when Kane, having received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, made a sharp pass to Sterling. Sterling, instantly responded, passed the ball back to Kane. At that moment, everyone froze. Kane, seeing the ball rolling towards him, concentrated and shot into the near corner. The ball flew into the net, and the stadium exploded with delight. This goal was not just a result, but a symbol of Kane’s return to the football Olympus.
After the goal, the pressure on the German team increased. Kane finally gained confidence and began to lead his teammates. Not only did he score, but he also actively contributed to the creation of goal-scoring opportunities. In the 82nd minute, he made a great pass to Mount, who eventually increased England’s lead to 2-0. From this point on, the game became more open. Germany, eager to recoup, went on the attack. This created additional space for England to counter-attack. Kane, using his speed and ability to read the game, began to move into dangerous areas. Every move he made was a danger to the German defense. Kane not only scored himself, but also created opportunities for others.
The match ended 2-0 in England’s favor, and Kane was once again the hero. His goal and assist not only secured the team’s victory, but also restored his reputation as one of the best strikers in Europe. After the game, he received many congratulations from fans and experts, who noted his decisive contribution to the team’s success. This match was a turning point not only for Kane, but for the entire England team. The support of the fans at Wembley created a unique atmosphere, where every mistake could cost the victory. England demonstrated that they can cope with pressure and overcome difficulties. Kane, in turn, once again proved that he is capable of being a leader in the most crucial moments. Now, after this victory, the England team was full of confidence and ready for the next matches. Kane, having regained his form, became the team’s main weapon on the way to the long-awaited triumph. With each new match, his confidence only grew, and he again began to show his true nature – the nature of a scorer who can decide the outcome of the game.
The match against Germany turned everything upside down for Kane. After that, he started scoring in every round of the playoffs: a brace in the quarter-final against Ukraine, a crucial goal in the semi-final against Denmark. The Euro became the arena where Harry Kane not only restored the trust of the fans, but also reached a new level of leadership. After the meeting with Germany, his game became more confident and purposeful. In the quarter-final against Ukraine, he entered the field with a completely different mood. From the first minutes, it was obvious that Kane was ready to show everything he was capable of. He actively moved, looked for space and created chances for both himself and his teammates.
In the 4th minute of the match, he opened the scoring, receiving a pass from Sterling. The shot was precise and powerful, the ball flew into the net, and the stadium exploded with joy. This goal was not only the first of the match, but also an important milestone in his career at the tournament. He continued to show his power, scoring another goal in the second half, which finally broke the resistance of the Ukrainian team. Kane returned to form, and this was evident not only in his goals, but also in his interaction with other players. He became not only a striker, but also a link between the lines, which made his game more versatile. In the semi-final with Denmark, Kane demonstrated his talent again. The match was tense, and both teams were fighting for a place in the final. This time, Kane showed his leadership qualities not only on the field, but also off it. He encouraged his teammates, helped them stay focused and confident. When Denmark opened the scoring, the pressure on the English team increased, but Kane remained calm. He knew that the team could fight back.
