Harry Kane says England were 'missing the final piece of the jigsaw'

England captain Harry Kane expressed disappointment following the team's semi-final loss to Argentina in the 2026 World Cup. The team and manager Thomas Tuchel have faced criticism for their defensive tactics after taking an early lead.
Why it matters
The critique of England's tactical approach highlights the high-pressure environment of international football and the scrutiny faced by national team managers.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Kane has scored six goals and registered one assist during the 2026 World Cup
England captain Harry Kane says the team are "missing that final piece of the jigsaw" and need to "find a way to get better" following their defeat to Argentina in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
The Three Lions took the lead in Atlanta but were beaten 2-1, with the side and manager Thomas Tuchel being criticised for becoming too defensive after going in front.
"No words are big enough right now to overcome this empty feeling in the stomach," wrote Kane, , external as several England players took to social media to give their thoughts on the tournament.
"We were close, really close to another final but it wasn't enough. We've given everything over these last seven weeks and to fall short is hard to take!
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in