Harry Kane Shows a Star Doesn't Have to Be a Selfish Jerk

The clock was ticking down, with only 20 minutes left in the knockout match against Congo, and England seemed headed for an early flight home. The team had struggled to break down the underdog's defense, masterfully anchored by goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who repelled every shot for over an hour.

However, a shift began to occur. England's players started making more runs, moving the ball faster, and executing quicker, more direct passes. Gone were the long balls and crosses from the sidelines; instead, high balls were delivered into the box, aiming for the front or back post. All that was missing was a finisher, and time was running out.

Anthony Gordon delivered the ball into the penalty area, arcing it toward the edge of the six-yard box. Suddenly, Harry Kane burst through, like Jack Nicholson's character in "The Shining," exclaiming, "Here's Harry!" He headed in the equalizer.

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A big factor in Kane's brilliance is his reliability and consistency. He is always fit to play, and his floor is much higher than any other attacker in England.

Ten minutes later, Kane received another pass from Gordon inside the arc of the penalty area. Surrounded by six opponents, none close enough, Kane controlled the ball with his first touch. With his second, he bypassed three defenders. His third touch sent the ball into the top corner of the net, destroying the underdog's hopes and sending England to the quarterfinals.

Harry Kane is experiencing an incredible period. He scored 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich last season and has continued his form in the World Cup, netting five goals in four games. His reliability and consistent high performance level, even on an off day, make him a formidable attacker. As expert Tuukka Kotimäki notes, Kane's "floor is much higher than any other attacker in England." Even when "dimmed" by opponents, his persistence and mental strength prevent him from faltering. When he finally gets a chance, he is deadly efficient. Kane also excels as a link-up player, often dropping deeper to distribute the ball to teammates.

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Kane's weaker day is one where he can still score a goal or two. Yesterday was a good example of this. Congo did a good job of dimming Kane, but he is so persistent and mentally strong that he doesn't get discouraged.