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Harry Kane says a World Cup semi-final against historic rivals Argentina is “as big as it gets” but stressed England cannot be drawn into the emotional baggage surrounding the fixture.
A rivalry that elicits memories of Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ in 1986 and David Beckham’s red card 12 years later will resume for the first time since 2005, with a place in Sunday’s showpiece on the line.
Back-to-back European Championship runners-up England are seeking to make their third final in four major tournaments and move within one step of ending their 60-year wait to bring football home.
“I mean, what a game, what an occasion to play one of the best teams, the reigning world champions, in a semi-final of a World Cup,” captain Kane told UK broadcaster ITV.
“In these moments, I think back to being a kid and having dreams and what it’d be like to play in these games.
“This is as big as it gets, so I’m really excited for this week. I think it’s going to be a special game and what a tough team to play against but hopefully that brings the best out in us.”
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is sure to be bouncing on Wednesday for a contest that has a dramatic and controversial past.
Increased security measures will be in place around a semi-final that is going ahead without segregation within the stadium despite history that goes beyond football.
Tensions over the Falklands War in 1982 remain and Argentina still dispute the sovereignty of the British overseas territory.
Asked if there is an extra need to manage the occasion and be disciplined, captain Kane said: “Yeah and no. I think it’s not something you want to focus too much on, surrounding the history.
“Yeah, that’s all part of it and that’s what you guys (in the media) will talk about, the fans will be involved in.
“But from a player’s point of view it’s us against a great team, who are smart, who are tactical, who know how to buy fouls, know how to slow the game down. Like many different teams you come up against throughout your whole career.
“So, it’s England versus Argentina, it’s two of the biggest nations going toe to toe. Two giants in the semi-final of a World Cup. The rest of it is just a small part.
“For us, we have a focus, we have a preparation that we do in every moment, in every game and this game is no different.
“The most important thing is that we back ourselves to be successful on this stage.”
On top of everything else Wednesday’s match pits Lionel Messi, one of the greatest players of all time, against England for the first time, although Kane says “the game is against Argentina, not against Lionel Messi.”
The semi-final also sees the skipper collect his 121st cap – an England record for a men’s outfield player – and get a first taste of a fixture that left a lasting impression on him when watching the 2002 World Cup.
Kane said of his standout memory of this fixture: “It’s actually Beckham’s penalty. Red kit, yellow armband.
“We all knew what Beckham went through previously against Argentina and that kind of redemption story of scoring that penalty, his celebration, he’s pulling the shirt and his face.
“I think that’s one of my favourite England memories, even if you’d have asked me before playing Argentina.
“That was always one of my favourite memories, Beckham being a big idol of mine, so that one stands out for sure.”
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A rivalry that elicits memories of Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ in 1986 and David Beckham’s red card 12 years later will resume for the first time since 2005, with a place in Sunday’s showpiece on the line.
Back-to-back European Championship runners-up England are seeking to make their third final in four major tournaments and move within one step of ending their 60-year wait to bring football home.
“I mean, what a game, what an occasion to play one of the best teams, the reigning world champions, in a semi-final of a World Cup,” captain Kane told UK broadcaster ITV.
“In these moments, I think back to being a kid and having dreams and what it’d be like to play in these games.
“This is as big as it gets, so I’m really excited for this week. I think it’s going to be a special game and what a tough team to play against but hopefully that brings the best out in us.”
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is sure to be bouncing on Wednesday for a contest that has a dramatic and controversial past.
Increased security measures will be in place around a semi-final that is going ahead without segregation within the stadium despite history that goes beyond football.
Tensions over the Falklands War in 1982 remain and Argentina still dispute the sovereignty of the British overseas territory.
Asked if there is an extra need to manage the occasion and be disciplined, captain Kane said: “Yeah and no. I think it’s not something you want to focus too much on, surrounding the history.
“Yeah, that’s all part of it and that’s what you guys (in the media) will talk about, the fans will be involved in.
“But from a player’s point of view it’s us against a great team, who are smart, who are tactical, who know how to buy fouls, know how to slow the game down. Like many different teams you come up against throughout your whole career.
“So, it’s England versus Argentina, it’s two of the biggest nations going toe to toe. Two giants in the semi-final of a World Cup. The rest of it is just a small part.
“For us, we have a focus, we have a preparation that we do in every moment, in every game and this game is no different.
“The most important thing is that we back ourselves to be successful on this stage.”
On top of everything else Wednesday’s match pits Lionel Messi, one of the greatest players of all time, against England for the first time, although Kane says “the game is against Argentina, not against Lionel Messi.”
The semi-final also sees the skipper collect his 121st cap – an England record for a men’s outfield player – and get a first taste of a fixture that left a lasting impression on him when watching the 2002 World Cup.
Kane said of his standout memory of this fixture: “It’s actually Beckham’s penalty. Red kit, yellow armband.
“We all knew what Beckham went through previously against Argentina and that kind of redemption story of scoring that penalty, his celebration, he’s pulling the shirt and his face.
“I think that’s one of my favourite England memories, even if you’d have asked me before playing Argentina.
“That was always one of my favourite memories, Beckham being a big idol of mine, so that one stands out for sure.”
Continue reading...
