Tim McLoughlin

Seems strange this criticism in Germany of Harry Kane not delivering in big games. He scored against Germany in Berlin in 2016, and this fixture is always a big game, even a friendly. He scored against Germany at Wembley in Euro 2020. Very big game. Knocked them out. He scored against Germany in the Allianz and at Wembley in the Nations League. Big games all. Kane’s never lost to Germany. There have undeniably been some moments with England when more was needed from Kane. Nasty Nice at Euro 2016 springs immediately to mind, but he was on corners. He missed a penalty against France at the 2022 World Cup, highlighting he’s not perfect but he’d earlier nailed one from the spot. In pressure moments, Kane took responsibility, leading the line, leading the way, even taking the first kick in shootouts. By Kane’s high standards, he didn’t enjoy the best Euro 2024, partly because England’s attack lacked a balanced left side and also he didn’t appear fully fit. Still finished joint top scorer. When England were criticised, Kane insisted on addressing the media and standing up for the team, especially the younger players. He's a leader. For Spurs, he undeniably endured a disappointing 2019 Champions League final, managing only one shot and 26 touches in 90 minutes in that huge game but he was returning from injury, probably returning too early. The forward still put himself about, winning half his 12 duels with Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip. He became Tottenham's leading scorer in 2023, beating Jimmy Greaves' 266, by scoring the winner from 10 yards against Manchester City. Big game. The North London Derby is a big game and Kane scored 14 times in 17 Premier League meetings. And once already for Bayern Munich against Arsenal. He scored against Real Madrid in last season’s Champions League semi and after his controversial 85th-minute withdrawal by Thomas Tuchel at the Bernabeu, Real scored twice to go through. Ask England fans whether Kane delivers. He’s their record goalscorer. Some of his 68 goals in 100 internationals have certainly been plundered against lesser sides like Andorra, San Marino, North Macedonia and Malta. But countless times over the past decade, Kane rose to the big occasion. A late volleyed equaliser against Scotland in a World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park, always a big game. Twice against France at Stade de France. At the 2018 World Cup, Kane converted a penalty he’d won against Colombia and then a pen in the shootout. He left Russia with the Golden Boot. There’s a lot of these achievements. He may lack a trophy but he doesn’t lack for big contributions in big games. He finished 2018 with two assists and a masterful performance in Seville and the late winner against Croatia in a vital Nations League game at Wembley. He scored in every qualifier to take England to Euro 2020, where he struck twice against Ukraine in the quarter-final in Rome, the winner against Denmark in the semi, and then again took responsibility for the first pen in the shootout against Italy in the final and beat Gianluigi Donnarumma. In 2022, Kane struck to help England progress past Senegal in the round of 16 at the World Cup in Qatar. He scored past Hugo Lloris in the quarter-final against France to equal Wayne Rooney’s England goalscoring record of 53. He did miss in that game, highlighting he’s not perfect. He then beat Rooney’s record by scoring against European champions Italy in the tense Euro 2024 qualifier in the cauldron of Naples, his goal proving the winner. Sorry, there's a lot of this. Kane scored against Scotland at Hampden. Again. He scored twice against Italy at Wembley to lead England to the Euros where he played the poacher against Denmark, headed England past Slovakia in extra time and then the (slightly iffy) penalty equaliser to get the team back on track against the Dutch in the semi-final. England are lucky to have him. So are Bayern. #ENG #THFC #FCBayern #UCL