Harry Kane’s journey with England has been full of highs and heartbreaks, but few moments have defined him quite like the one he still calls his “toughest.”
Standing proudly at the Daugava Stadium after another victory that sealed England’s spot in the next World Cup, Kane couldn’t help but reflect on how far he’d come since that painful night in Qatar.
As teammates celebrated and journalists crowded for interviews, memories from December 2022 flooded back—the penalty that went over the bar, the haunting image of Kylian Mbappé’s smirk, and the sting of knowing England’s World Cup dream had just slipped away.
That miss, Kane admits, changed him forever.
Turning Pain into Purpose
Instead of letting the moment break him, the England captain used it as fuel.
He went back to work—relentlessly.
Since that fateful night, Kane has smashed Wayne Rooney’s all-time England goalscoring record, netting his 75th and 76th goals during the 5–0 win over Latvia.
He’s also thriving in Germany with Bayern Munich, scoring an incredible 21 goals in just 13 matches across club and country.
Yet, despite his success, Kane says the ghost of that missed penalty remains part of his motivation.
“It’s been fuel for me,” he confessed.
“That was probably the worst I’ve ever felt on a football pitch.
But moments like that shape you—they make you stronger.”
Learning and Evolving
Kane has always been known for his discipline, but the heartbreak in Qatar pushed him to refine everything about his game.
From adjusting his penalty technique to improving his overall play, the 32-year-old says he’s become sharper, more patient, and more confident under pressure.
He even proved it later by scoring from the spot in the Euro semi-final—a high-pressure moment that showed how much he’d grown.
“After that penalty, I went 31 in a row without missing,” he explained proudly.
“I changed my technique, improved, and learned. That’s all you can do in football—learn and move forward.”
Leading by Example
After England’s qualification win, Kane gave a heartfelt speech to his teammates, reminding them never to take these moments for granted.
For him, every World Cup is a privilege and a chance for redemption.
As he prepares for his third World Cup next summer—his 33rd birthday falling just a week after the final—Kane says he’s still hungry for more.
“I feel like I’m in the best form of my life,” he said.
“Physically, mentally, and technically, I’m at another level. I’m not slowing down anytime soon.”
The Goal That Still Drives Him
With 76 international goals already, Kane isn’t shy about setting big targets.
“Can I get to 100 goals for England? I think it’s possible,” he said confidently.
“I’m feeling great, and as long as I keep scoring, I’ll keep pushing.”
But personal records aren’t his only goal. Kane’s eyes are set on the ultimate prize—the World Cup trophy.
He remembers talking with Gareth Southgate years ago about how England needs to keep reaching semi-finals and finals, “knocking on the door,” as he put it.
A Captain’s Vision for England
Kane believes England’s current momentum is a vital step toward something greater.
“We’re still at the bottom of the mountain,” he admitted, “but we’re climbing. To win the World Cup, we’ll have to beat the best on the biggest stage. The key is to stay fearless and keep believing.”
It’s that mix of humility and hunger that makes Harry Kane who he is—a player who has learned to turn failure into fire, and heartbreak into hope.
The miss in Qatar might have haunted him once, but now, it’s the very thing propelling him toward football immortality.