Harry Kane has described England’s semi-final defeat to Argentina at this summer’s World Cup as the most painful moment of his Three Lions career.
England reached their first World Cup final since 1966 when Anthony Gordon met Morgan Rogers’ cross in the 55th minute.
However, two late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez completed the comeback, with Lionel Messi collecting two assists at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Argentina did not trail until the 85th minute against England, the latest team in a World Cup semi-final to trail but win in normal time, making Kane’s defeat all the more difficult.
Thomas Tuchel has been criticized for his tactical approach to the game, opting to replace Gordon and Declan Rice for more defensive options in an attempt to win.
England have been eliminated from their last three matches at this stage of the World Cup (1990, 2018, 2026), and Kane was also involved in the Three Lions’ defeats to Italy and Spain in the European Cup finals.
However, England’s recent setbacks have hurt him the most, with Kane saying: “I’m passionate about England, especially because I’ve been on this journey now.
“I’ve been to finals, semi-finals and very close. Every game hurts me in a different way. This injury is for sure. More serious than any of the others.”
“I probably said more than when I missed the penalty in Qatar [in the quarter-final against France] Just the way it happened.
“It feels like this is not us as a team. This is not the team we want to be and this is not the team we say we are.
“I sometimes think that when you fail against your own beliefs, it feels ten times worse than just failing, and if we failed on our terms, you accept it, make peace with it and move on.
“It’s been tough and it’s still going to be tough. You’ve got to keep moving forward.”
We are heartbroken that our dream has ended, but so proud of this team, our staff and you, our amazing fans.
Your support in North America and at home has been incredible. Thanks. pic.twitter.com/06KEKKUALh
— England (@England) July 15, 2026
The result overshadowed a landmark moment for Kane, who made 121 appearances for England in all competitions, the most of any outfield player in the country.
However, England ended the World Cup on a high note, finishing third, beating France 6-4 in a superb match three days later at Hard Rock Stadium.
Tuchel’s side are preparing for their first game since this victory this Saturday, when World Cup winners Spain face Wembley Stadium in the Nations League.
England have won just two of their last 13 games against the reigning World Cup champions and lost nine (drawing two). These victories were at home against Spain in November 2011 (1-0) and away against Germany in March 2016 (3-2).
Kane said that while the pain of such a disappointment “stays with you”, England must use it as fuel as they aim to reach higher levels on the international stage.
Kane added: “That’s something we can’t do in the latter stages of games against bigger countries and better countries.”
“It could be a mixture of things. It could be personality, it could be mentality, it could just be the direction and the way we want to play in these games.”
“I think we need to have conversations as a group and as a team. Not just sit back but as we progress through the next games, through the next level of the NFC, we want to try and win.”
“We want to try and take that next step because I think it’s going to be a big step for us as a team.
“I know there are people who think the Nations League might not be that important, but when you go so long without winning, I think just the feeling of winning a trophy with England could get us into the Euros in a few years’ time.”