Harry Kane says England have stepped it up in the knockout stages before, and it’s time to do it again.
The England skipper was one of many who failed to hit their peak during a sub-par Group C campaign which saw England score just two goals, albeit progressing top of the group with five points from games against Serbia, Denmark and Tuesday’s dour goalless draw with Slovenia in Cologne.
England and Slovenia share the points 🤝
England top Group C 🏴#EURO2024 | #ENGSVN pic.twitter.com/VtUAncDydS
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 25, 2024
Kane told ITV Sport: “The aim before the start of the tournament was to top the group, and that’s what we’ve done. Tonight was a tough game.
“We played a lot better than the other two games, a lot more energy, better on the ball. We just couldn’t find that final bit of quality, the final pass or that final finish, but we look forward to the next one. All these games are going to be difficult now.
“We created some half chances and there were some that we could maybe have done better. They defended well and made it hard for us.”
England fans in the stadium and at home were keen to see Southgate shuffle his pack and Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon all made positive impressions off the bench, leading to hope they might be considered for England’s Round of 16 clash in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday (5pm BST).
“The boys who came on did really well,” Kane agreed. “They kept the energy high and brought a different dimension to the game – that’s what we need. We need all the players chipping in whenever they get minutes. That’s what they’ve done so far. We have more than enough ability in this team.”
England overcame Germany in the last-16 in the last Euros after a limp group campaign and Kane recalled: “These games are tough. We have been here before and stepped it up in the past when we have got to the knockouts.
“All games in this tournament are tough. It is going to be a difficult challenge ahead and we have enough ability to keep pushing.
“Whoever we get in the next round is going to be tough. It might take extra time, it might take penalties.”
