Harry Kane only has to think back to the past two tournaments to ease any doubts about not scoring so far at the World Cup, as England prepare to face Senegal in the last 16.
The captain did collect the Golden Boot as the top scorer on the last world stage in Russia with six goals, but they all came in his first three games. There was only frustration in front of goal in the next three, as England finished fourth.
The script was flipped at Euro 2020: No goals in the group stage, then four in the run to the final.
So the Tottenham striker enters the game against African champions Senegal at Al-Bayt Stadium encouraged by the displays at the Euros, on reflection, more than those at Russia 2018.
He said: “I started the tournament [Russia 2018] with loads of goals, used a lot of energy and as the tournament went on, I felt like my performances dipped in the latter stages.
“I was conscious before the Euros of trying to make it the other way. Of course, I still wanted to start well, but I was trying to make sure that physically, and mentally, I was in the best place for the knockout stages.”
Now the 29-year-old does feel clear of any ankle problems – after a worry early on in Qatar – and in good shape.
He said: “I feel as match-fit as I’m ever going to feel. Only time will tell. Hopefully I can do well tomorrow and come into the best form in these knockout games.
“Form-wise I feel like I have been playing well, goals are what I’m going to be judged on most but as always I’m a calm individual and always try to focus on the team and do my best for the team.”
Kane with his World Cup Golden Boot trophy
His teammates assumed the scoring burden in the group stage, netting nine goals – the most by an England team by this stage.
And he still set up three goals – the most by an England player at a World Cup since David Beckham 20 years ago.
Kane said: “I would love to be sitting here with two or three goals now, for sure, but I think the group stage has gone well.”
He only needs two goals to match Wayne Rooney‘s record 53 goals for England. The priority is, of course, leading The Three Lions into another final – and landing their first trophy since 1966.
England will be favourites going into the match, but manager Gareth Southgate will not be taking Senegal lightly.
“We have been very impressed with Senegal,” he said.
“We know they are African champions and are very proud and have great spirit and belief in their team. They have some excellent individual players who can cause problems, but a good structure as well.
“(Aliou) Cisse has done a fantastic job. They were very unlucky not to qualify from the group in Russia and they have deservedly done it this time. We know the size of the job ahead of us.”
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Southgate says England are ‘ready for penalties’
Southgate believes England are “mentally and physically” ready for another penalty shootout if the showdown with Senegal goes down to the wire.
The national team’s spot-kick issues are well documented, with all three World Cup shootouts ending in defeat before beating Colombia in the last 16 four years ago in Russia.
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Who are England’s opponents Senegal?
England followed that by winning bronze on spot-kicks at the Nations League finals against Switzerland in 2019, only for penalties to prove their undoing in last year’s European Championship final.
“We’re aiming to win the game and to avoid extra time if you can, and to avoid penalties if you can, because you’d like to get a victory in 90 minutes,” Southgate said.
“But if we need to go 120 minutes, if we need to go beyond that, then we’ve got to be ready for that mentally and physically. And I believe we are.”