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Why Harry Kane should be undeniably regarded as England's greatest ever player
1-0 down against a resolute DR Congo, the Three Lions were almost out of ideas until Harry Edward Kane stepped up once again.
The England skipper turned the game on its head with a typically predatory header to level the scores, before unleashing a first-class finish to win the game for his country again.
It should come as no surprise, given the season he's had and his constant influence on this Three Lions team, that the argument over England's greatest ever player is over. It's Harry Kane.
Kane delighted to deliver England 'hero' moment
From the off
From the moment Harry Kane first pulled on a Three Lions shirt, he has been making an impact for the national team.
His debut goal, just 79 seconds after coming off the bench against Lithuania in 2018, may have come in a comfortable 4-0 win in a Euros qualifier, but it was the perfect introduction to an England career where he'd constantly make the difference.
Since that goal, 83 more have followed as the striker has smashed the nation's all-time leading goal-scoring record to a point where it is unlikely to ever be beaten.
He is now England's highest goalscorer at a World Cup finals, overtaking Gary Lineker's 40-year-old record, and will go on to be the player that captains the national team more times than any other name, with Peter Shilton's all-time appearances record not far behind.
The numbers and records are incredible and should never be downplayed, but Kane's true worth is in making those numbers count when it matters most.
We live in an era where we've seen several big names rack up caps and goals for their country, and of course, it's a remarkable achievement, but it's how those totals have helped the team that is key - and that's what sets Kane apart from the rest.
@England
The moments that matter
Kane's England career has often been compared to the man he succeeded as record goalscorer and captain, Wayne Rooney, given their talismanic profiles for the national team.
Rooney also racked up the numbers for his country and is always spoken about as one of England's best-ever, but in truth, he never delivered anywhere near those game-changing moments Kane has made his hallmark whilst wearing an England shirt.
Outside of Euro 2004, when Rooney burst on the scene, he never performed in a major tournament for his country. Granted, he had better players around him to spread the load, but you cannot think of a single time a Rooney performance or goal dragged England from the brink or changed a game during a finals.
Yet, he's never suffered the same criticisms that Kane has had for 'only scoring goals against weaker opposition' - a notion that is simply not true.
Who dug England out of a hole at Hampden Park when it looked as though England would lose to the auld enemy? Kane.
Who scored twice to see off Tunisia and go on to win a Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup? Kane.
Who was on hand to see off the Germans at Euro 2020? Kane.
Whose nerves of steel against Denmark settled the semi-final that same summer? Kane.
Who bagged the winner against Slovakia at Euro 2024? Kane.
Who began this tournament with two goals to set the tone for England? Kane
Oh, and last night, when all seemed lost against Congo? Oh, yes, Kane again. And again and again.
Yes, there have been low moments. The penalty miss against France, some of his more pedestrian displays at the last Euros and maybe some would point to how many goals he's got against the likes of San Marino and Andorra - but he can only net against whoever's put in front of him.
And, if you look at his 84 (that's right, 84) goals for his country, you'll also see goals against the Netherlands, Italy, France and Germany, too.
No player has scored more goals and more important goals than Harry Kane, and that's why he has to be considered the best this country has ever produced.
England's GOAT Getty
Some years ago, Kane was mocked after confessing in the Tottenham documentary on Prime that he wanted to be spoken about in the same breath as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Now, we're not suggesting he's rivalling those two all-time icons, but his numbers, performance and impact, particularly this season, are making him very much England's version.
Perhaps, until he wins something with the national team, he'll never be lauded like the boys of 1966, but if we're talking about his influence, talent and the difference he's made, there's almost no rival to his place as English football's greatest-ever.
Especially when you add in what a model pro Kane is. You never hear of drama or rumours surrounding his private life; he presents himself as a captain should and has earned the respect for working on his game to reach the levels he has.
Kane wasn't supposed to be this guy. He wasn't given the platform and hype that Rooney rightfully had; he was even labelled as a 'one-season wonder' at some point.
But he's used that as fuel to improve his game, with a desire to be the best and has fulfilled it. A goalscorer, a goal provider, an elite finisher and a leader.
We're not looking at a one-season wonder; we're witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime player who will go down as the best this country has ever seen.
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