Harry Kane’s fitness concerns emerge after England’s World Cup victory
Harry Kane was pictured wearing strapping on his left calf after England’s thrilling 4-2 World Cup victory over Croatia, prompting fresh questions over the fitness of the Three Lions captain, reports BritPanorama.
The 32-year-old produced another memorable display on the biggest stage, scoring twice in Dallas to help Thomas Tuchel’s side make the perfect start to their Group L campaign. Kane converted from the penalty spot after being given a second opportunity, before adding a powerful header to move level with Gary Lineker on 10 World Cup goals for England.
Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also found the net as England recovered from a nervy first half to pull away after the interval. However, attention quickly shifted from Kane’s goalscoring exploits to his condition after the final whistle.
Having changed into England training gear and spent time with family members at the AT&T Stadium, Kane was seen with visible strapping wrapped around the lower part of his left leg. The England skipper completed the full 90 minutes and showed no obvious signs of discomfort during the closing stages, which will provide encouragement ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with Ghana.
England supporters will nevertheless be hoping the precautionary support is nothing serious as Tuchel prepares his squad for the second match of the tournament. Kane was not the only player to emerge from the opening fixture carrying a fitness concern; Declan Rice limped off late in the game and was replaced by Morgan Rogers after an influential display that included several dangerous set-pieces.
Tuchel admitted he had concerns over the Arsenal midfielder and chose not to take any chances. “Let’s see. I hope they’re OK,” the England manager said. Rice later reassured fans that his issue was not expected to keep him out of England’s next outing. “All good. Good as gold,” he said. “Just what I’ve been nursing probably in the second half of the season at Arsenal, little neural pains here and there. But I’m all good, all fine, just precaution and I’ll be back out there against Ghana.”
Kane and Rice were among several England players to praise Tuchel’s half-time intervention after Croatia twice fought back to level before the break. The German urged his side to abandon their cautious approach and play with greater freedom, a message that transformed the contest.
England responded emphatically after the restart, overwhelming Croatia with a high-tempo display and securing an impressive victory that has immediately raised expectations for Tuchel’s side in the United States. With Ghana up next, England will hope the images of Kane wearing strapping prove to be nothing more than a precaution as they look to book their place in the knockout stages.
