Harry Kane said he was “gutted” for England and their fans after his team were beaten 2-1 by defending champions Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Anthony Gordon’s strike had put the Three Lions on the cusp of a first men’s World Cup final since they lifted the 1966 trophy but Lionel Messi inspired a dramatic turnaround in Atlanta.<\/p>\n
He set up Enzo Fernandez, who blasted home from outside the area, and provided an inch-perfect cross for Lautaro Martinez’s winner in stoppage time.<\/p>\n
“Gutted for the boys, gutted for everyone – the team, the staff, the fans,” England captain Kane told the BBC.<\/p>\n
“We played a good game, the large majority of it. When we went 1-0 up we seemed to try and hold on, which at this level is not enough. <\/p>\n
“So, just gutted because we’ve worked so hard to be here and the lads have given every last bit of running, blood, sweat, tears.”<\/p>\n
Bayern Munich forward Kane, who scored six goals during the tournament, said Thomas Tuchel’s men had struggled to repel constant attacks from the defending champions.<\/p>\n
“After the goal, whether it was them putting more men forward or us not being able to match them man for man, it was just wave after wave,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Lads were putting blocks in but, in the end, it just wasn’t enough.”<\/p>\n
He said England had not planned to rely on defending after Gordon’s goal.<\/p>\n
“When we went ahead the messaging was to go again and get another goal,” he added.<\/p>\n
“Then once they scored their two goals it was to try and find something but we couldn’t quite get the momentum back in the game.”<\/p>\n
England have now reached at least the semi-final stage in four of the past five major tournaments, but have still not won a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup.<\/p>\n
Kane turns 33 later this month and refused to be drawn on whether he imagines still being part of the team by the time the next World Cup comes around.<\/p>\n
He may be inspired by the performances of Lionel Messi, 39, who has scored eight goals at the 2026 tournament.<\/p>\n
“As a person, it’s always just about taking it year by year and how I feel,” Kane told reporters.<\/p>\n
“The England national team is my pride and joy. It’s what I love to do more than anything.<\/p>\n
“Obviously, four years is a long way away. I’ll be 33 this summer, but as you see on the other hand with Leo there, he’s still performing at the highest level.<\/p>\n
“I never want to put a limit on these things. But for now, it’s just about processing another tough loss with this team.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n