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Harry Kane: 'Just when you need your captain to stand up, he does that'
HARRY KANE sent England into the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League with a late winner against Croatia - and the Three Lions skipper has received big praise for doing so.
Gareth Southgate praises England after 2-1 Croatia win
Kane put England ahead in the 85th minute of the crucial match at Wembley.
Croatia had led 1-0 after Andrej Kramaric’s deflected effort outfoxed England keeper Jordan Pickford.
England knew they had to win the game or faced relegation from their group.
Jesse Lingard drew Gareth Southgate’s side level, tapping in from close range after a Joe Gomez long throw.
Just when you need your captain to step up, Harry Kane does exactly that
And it was then Harry Kane who came up with the winning moment, poking home a superb Ben Chilwell free kick to send the Wembley crowd into raptures.
Former England striker Alan Smith was co-commentating on the game for Sky Sports.
And he was full of praise for Kane for his attacking instinct for the goal.
“It’s all about that ball into the box, it was a beauty,” Smith said.
“Fed into the attack, it’s certainly onside, it’s a poacher’s effort.
“Just when you need your captain to step up, Harry Kane does exactly that.
“He had to adjust the body, was there a little touch in front of him there?
“What a big goal that is.”
Kane’s goal was his first for England since the World Cup.
It ended a run of seven games without finding the back of the net for his country.
Kane is the all-time leading goalscorer at the new Wembley stadium, helped largely by his club side Tottenham playing their home games there for the last two seasons.