Harry Kane once again proved why he remains the heartbeat of England’s national team, delivering when the pressure was at its highest. His late double against DR Congo inspired a dramatic comeback victory and earned glowing praise from football icons Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović, who both highlighted just how important the Bayern Munich striker has become for the Three Lions.
Thierry Henry Hails Harry Kane’s Match-Winning Display
With England staring at a potentially shocking defeat, Harry Kane changed the course of the match in the final stages. The striker equalized with a powerful header in the 75th minute before producing a stunning winner from a difficult angle just before full-time to secure a 2-1 victory and send England into the Round of 16.
Kane’s performance immediately became one of the biggest talking points of FOX Sports’ World Cup coverage.
Thierry Henry was particularly impressed by the quality of Kane’s winning strike, pointing out how difficult it is to generate that level of power after playing an exhausting match. The Arsenal legend suggested only the very best players can produce moments like that when fatigue has already taken over.
Henry also delivered one of the broadcast’s most memorable lines, joking:
“I’d break my back.”
He then smiled before referring to England’s captain as:
“Sir Harry Kane.”
The nickname quickly attracted attention among fans watching the broadcast.
Zlatan Ibrahimović Says England Cannot Afford To Lose Kane
While Henry focused on Kane’s remarkable finish, Zlatan Ibrahimović looked at the bigger picture.
The former Sweden international argued that Harry Kane is by far the most irreplaceable player in Gareth Southgate’s squad, claiming England relies on its captain more than any other major nation depends on a single individual.
Zlatan compared England with several World Cup rivals, explaining that Argentina still has multiple players capable of deciding matches alongside Lionel Messi, while France possesses enough elite talent around Kylian Mbappé.
According to Ibrahimović, England does not enjoy that same luxury.
He believes Kane is the player who consistently carries the team during its most difficult moments, not only because of his goals but also because of the leadership, composure and confidence he brings whenever he is on the pitch.
Kane’s latest brace also strengthened his push for the Golden Boot. The Bayern Munich striker now has five goals at the tournament, drawing level with Erling Haaland and sitting just one behind leaders Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, who have six each.
England Still Faces Important Questions
Although England celebrated qualification for the knockout stage, the performance also highlighted areas Thomas Tuchel will likely want to address before the next match.
During the FOX Sports discussion, Zlatan noted that several England players appeared to be running out of energy late in the contest. Declan Rice, in particular, looked physically exhausted after another demanding display in midfield.
Those fitness concerns could become significant as England prepares for a Round of 16 meeting with Mexico, who progressed through the group stage unbeaten and full of confidence.
Kane Will Once Again Be England’s Main Hope
The upcoming clash with Mexico now carries even more attention following the praise from Henry and Ibrahimović.
Both legendary forwards believe England has one player capable of deciding the biggest matches almost on his own, and that responsibility once again rests on Harry Kane’s shoulders.
While nations like France and Argentina can spread the burden across several world-class stars, Zlatan’s assessment suggests England’s level drops considerably whenever Kane is unable to influence the game.
If England is to continue its World Cup journey, their captain may once again be the man expected to deliver when it matters most.