Harry Kane spoke about being substituted before the end of England's Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland following Gareth Southgate collision.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Kane optimistic about fitness
No lasting concern over Southgate collision
England in another semi-finalWHAT HAPPENED?
Kane offered a positive update, suggesting it was nothing more than cramp that prevented him from continuing and taking part in the subsequent penalty shootout. With the Bayern Munich striker withdrawn after 109 minutes, Southgate also had a readymade penalty-taking replacement in Ivan Toney available.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
There was initially some concern when Kane's momentum took him off the side of the pitch and into Southgate by the bench. The captain would surely have taken England's first penalty in the shootout, which was ultimately a victory anyway, but it was instead converted by Cole Palmer. Toney also put his spot-kick away as England scored five out of five for the first time in a European Championship or World Cup shootout.
WHAT KANE SAID
Kane said: "I'm fine, I was just tired. I had a bit of cramp there. I tripped over the water bottles and got cramp in both calves. The boss made a quick decision obviously with [Ivan], a proven penalty taker. He came on and did the job.
"We're enjoying the ride. We're proud to be in another semi-final. We know how much it means to everyone back home watching. We want to do everyone proud. The longer we go in the competition in the manner that we're doing, it just gives us more and more belief that we're finding ways to win. That's an important factor in big competitions."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR KANE & ENGLAND?
The signs point to Kane being fit and available by the time England are in their semi-final on Wednesday night. Southgate's team didn't know their opponent at the time of getting through, with Netherlands eventually coming from behind against Turkey to set up the last four encounter a couple of hours later.