Kane, who admitted that he was gutted, said they didn’t do enough after going 1-0 up in the 55th minute.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Three Lions’ captain Harry Kane and ex-England internationals Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer have shared their thoughts after Argentina staged a comeback to beat Thomas Tuchel’s side 2-1 in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
The trio reacted to the defeat in three separate interviews after the consequential loss in a game played at Atlanta Stadium.
England took the lead in the last-four clash in the 55th minute, after Anthony Gordon netted Morgan Rogers’ cross.
However, the defending champions scored twice within seven minutes through Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez to ensure they play Spain in the final.
Reacting to the defeat, Kane, who admitted that he was gutted, said they didn’t do enough after going 1-0 up in the 55th minute of the encounter.
“I’m gutted for the team, the staff, and the fans. We played a good game for the majority of it. When we went 1-0 up, we seemed to just try to hold on, which at this level is not enough,” Kane said in his post-match interview.
“In the first half and the start of the second half, we pressed them well. We put them under loads of pressure, high up the pitch.
“That allowed us to win balls and control the game. After the [England] goal, whether it was them putting more men forward or us just not being able to match them man-for-man, it was just wave after wave [of Argentina attacks]. Lads were putting blocks in, but in the end, it wasn’t enough.”
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Also analyzing the game, Rooney questioned Tuchel’s decision to go defensive after Gordon scored the opening goal.
Speaking on BBC One, the Manchester United legend said: “Once we got the first goal, we didn’t look to go for the second goal.
“For the players, and for me, Thomas Tuchel made the decision, and when you make a decision like that, it is a gamble. The gamble he made was to go with five at the back, which allowed them to dictate the game.
“The decisions that Tuchel made cost us tonight.”
Speaking on the same program, Shearer said Argentina deserved to beat England and qualify for the final of the tournament after the latter threw away a second-half lead.
“I think the better team won,” the Newcastle United legend said.
He added: “You have got to be open and honest about it. Their reaction was brilliant; they hit the post a few times and England got lucky.
“How they didn’t panic, how they stuck to their game plan, how they believed in what they were doing, and they did it.
“The substitutions worked for them and you have to respect the way they came back into the game. They deserve to be in the final on Sunday, as much as it hurts to say that.”
