Kane deplores England's image despite the bronze

This summer, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham led England to the semi‑final of the 2026 World Cup, before being beaten 0‑1 by Spain. The Three Lions then won the bronze medal by dominating France 6‑4, but the captain remains deeply disappointed.

Path to the semi‑final

Guided by captain Harry Kane and midfielder Jude Bellingham, the English passed the group stages and the round of 16 before reaching the semi‑final, an unprecedented feat since 1966. Their progress was hailed as the best since the historic triumph.

In the semi‑final, England fell to Spain, the score settling at zero‑one, which ended their hopes of a final. This defeat left English supporters awaiting a resurgence.

In the third‑place match, the Three Lions regained the upper hand, handing France a 6‑4 defeat and securing the bronze medal. The victory was described as dominant despite the lingering disappointment.

Peter Crouch says Jude Bellingham silenced England critics at World Cup

Beyond the result, captain Harry Kane expressed his displeasure with the attitude displayed by the team during the match. He emphasized that the faces of his teammates did not match their convictions.

‘It hurts ten times more,’ Kane said, adding that this defeat hurt him more than his missed penalty in Qatar, insisting that it was not the team they wanted to be. His words reflect a deep frustration.

Despite the pain, Kane recalled that England achieved its second‑best World Cup run since 1966, thus providing a reason for national satisfaction. This perspective partially eases the disappointment of the match.