Kane’s Late Header Saves England

Some dudes just have a feel for the moment.

It's a talent many technicians don't always appreciate.

Like Arsenal, who released a young Harry Kane from their academy in his schoolboy days. And, ironically, Tottenham. And then Watford.

Fortunately for Spurs, the kid was a fan, so he applied again and this time, someone saw a spark.

 

Whoever that was never got paid enough. The HarryKane's been lighting it up for Tottenham ever since.

That now includes in the World Cup.

England faced Tunisia at the Volgograd Arena, nestled in a city still captured by its past and, apparently, its insects.

 

Tunisia fast-tracked its way into the World Cup by beating everyone in sight. Unfortunately, though, the team's heart and soul, Youssef Msakni, suffered a knee injury in April that will keep him outta the competition. It was a massive blow to the Eagles of Carthage.

While their offensive potential was severely hampered, the balance of their game wasn't, as England quickly discovered.

In a notably intense match, it was England's captain -- Kane -- who saved them by registering a double, including a dramatic late winner. 

 

To: Harry
From: Harry
Re: Big Day

Good show! Jolly good! Pip pip for now. I've gotta get back to propagating the royal lineage.

Regards.

 

The opening half began insanely, with both sides creating menacing opportunities, with the English cashing in first.

After a corner, Tunisian 'keeper Mouez Hassen saved a John Stones header, but the HarryKane was there to do what he does best:

 

Dude uses his spider-sense or something to alway be in the right place at the right time to fire it home.

After the goal, England kept putting the Carthaginian Eagles under pressure that ultimately got a bit careless.

During one fateful Tunisian counterattack, Kyle Walker childishly elbowed a Tunisian striker inside the area. That area.

The referee called for his trusty Video Assistant Referee, and then correctly awarded a penalty. Ferjani Sassi equalized, also Jordan Pickford was thisclose to denying it.

 

A rarity occurred along the way when Tunisian 'keeper Mouez Hassan -- a rather clever chap in his own right -- had to be subbed off due to a shoulder injury that ended his tournament.

The squad carried on quite capably, though, in denying England. Gareth Southgate's men had good chances from the likes of Jesse Lingard and Jordan Henderson, but the first half ended even.

 

And the second half appeared likely to end up as it began.

Both teams were now playing cautiously, and the Tunisians seemed to be satisfied with the prospect of a point. Indeed, it'd be a great result, what with their leading scorer and top 'keeper out.

Then, the 91st minute happened.

 

After another corner, Kane -- again well-located -- beat the new Tunisian 'keeper with a winner late header.

He would've beaten a fullback, too, but that dude abandoned his post. Literally.

 

 

Prior to the match, the usual pessimistic pall hung over this England debut, as the Three Lions have consistently underperformed in recent major tournaments. Think the EuroCup and Brazil 2014.

Who, then, could blame their supporters for awaiting something like a massive pipe to fall outta the sky?

But this time, they played well and deserved the three points. As for Tunisia, nothing is lost ... except another key player.

Bummer for them. Wrong group. Wrong time.