Devastated Harry Kane consoled by England stars after missing penalty in 2-1 loss to France in World Cup quarter-final
HARRY KANE had to fight back the tears after England crashed out of the World Cup against France.
Gareth Southgate’s side were defeated 2-1 as Les Bleus clinched their place in the semi-final.
Captain Kane blew a late opportunity to draw England level and send the game to extra-time when he blazed a spot-kick over the bar.
That was after he had scored an earlier penalty to equal Wayne Rooney’s record as the country’s all-time top scorer.
And after the whistle he slumped to the turf in a crouched position and brought a hand over his face as he struggled to get to grips with England’s exit.
A number of his heartbroken colleagues raced over to him while manager Southgate, who famously missed a penalty at Euro ‘96, also gave him a hug and offered some words to his talisman.
France goalie Hugo Lloris, a team-mate of Kane’s at Tottenham, also went to console the striker before the Three Lions skipper trudged off towards the dressing-room.
England keeper Jordan Pickford was also spotted ushering a cameraman away as they tried to get close and film Kane in his moment of despair.
Elsewhere, teenage midfield sensation Jude Bellingham was in tears and his new pal Jordan Henderson was forced to put an arm around his shoulder to comfort him.
The Borussia Dortmund man was then spotted still crying as he too headed down the tunnel.
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Henderson was the first star to brave the cameras, telling ITV: “It is hard now to sum it up, it is hard to find the right words.
“I thought we gave everything in the game, we were disappointed to go 1-0 down but we showed the character and mentality to keep going and find the equaliser.
“We gave it everything and unfortunately it wasn’t our night.”
And on Kane’s penalty miss, he added: “We know how many penalties Harry has scored for us, how many goals he has contributed to even get us here.
“He will be stronger for this in the future. He is a world-class striker and our captain, he will bounce back.”
Southgate about Kane: “He’s been incredible for us and so reliable in these situations. And we wouldn’t be here without him.
“In the end goals are decisive but I’ve said to the players that I don’t think they could have given anymore.
“Congratulations to France, they know that they’ve been in a hell of a game.”
There was also a huge swell of support for Kane following the game on social media, led by our columnist and Talk TV host Piers Morgan.
The Arsenal-mad star tweeted: “You won’t meet a more decent honest footballer or person than @HKane – or a better leader of the England team. Absolutely heart-breaking for him.”
Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell, who missed the tournament through injury, also wrote: “So gutted for the boys.”