Harry Kane dragged England out of a World Cup hole against DR Congo, and it helps debunk the tired idea that he goes missing on the big stage.
England were staring at one of the great World Cup humiliations, a goal down to DR Congo in their Round of 32 tie and running out of ideas. Then the captain equalised with a header in the 75th minute and settled it with a screamer 11 minutes later.
Kane has spent years being told he does not turn up when tournaments get serious. The stat that emerged after the DR Congo win says the opposite — and it puts the England forward clear of Kylian Mbappe.
How Harry Kane’s knockout goal record compares to Kylian Mbappe’s
This has been a career year for Kane. Since joining Bayern Munich he has scored at a rate that stands above anyone in Europe, and it’s fair to say, he has been the better of the two since they made their respective moves to a couple of European giants.
The international picture now tells the same story.
According to OptaJoe, Kane has scored 10 knockout-stage goals at major tournaments since EURO 2020. The best number of any European player.
Mbappe sits second on seven. Spain’s Dani Olmo, Denmark’s Kasper Dolberg and Portugal’s Goncalo Ramos are next, level on three apiece.
Kane beat DR Congo more or less on his own — the equaliser, then the winner, on a night when the rest of the side looked out of ideas.
England face Mexico next, up against home advantage at the Azteca, against a team that has won all four of its games at this World Cup without conceding.
If Thomas Tuchel’s side are to go deep, it will be because Kane keeps this streak going.
