A sense of devastation and emptiness.
Those words capture exactly what England’s Harry Kane is experiencing at the moment.
After England surrendered a late one-goal lead and lost 2-1 to Argentina in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday, Kane took to Instagram to share his reaction.
“No words are sufficient right now to quell this hollow feeling in my stomach,” Kane wrote.
“We were so close to reaching another final, yet it wasn’t enough. We poured everything into these seven weeks, and falling short is difficult to accept.”
“I understand the expectations are high and justified; we’ve been on the verge for eight years, yet we still lack that final piece.”
Although England showed improvement compared to its quarterfinal exit in 2022, the nation’s World Cup title drought now stretches to 60 years, since its last triumph in 1966.
England defeated Panama and Ghana in the group stage, then overcame Congo, Mexico, and Norway in the knockout rounds.
Despite being minutes away from an elusive final, England conceded two goals within six minutes, resulting in a heartbreaking loss.
“I’m incredibly proud of the players and what we’ve demonstrated throughout this tournament—overcoming tough matches and challenging environments,” Kane said.
These memories will linger with the players and supporters for years to come; pursuing glory doesn’t guarantee victory.
You must fight for it, rise after being knocked down, and continue forward—that’s exactly what we’ll do, maintaining belief and perseverance.
Despite England’s defeat, Kane delivered a standout performance for the third consecutive World Cup, registering six goals and one assist ahead of Saturday’s third‑place match against France.
The 32‑year‑old netted two goals versus Congo in the round of 32 and two against Croatia in the group stage.
Across three World Cups with England, Kane has amassed 14 goals and four assists.
“Thank you to every fan who traveled and showed their support in the stadiums,” Kane said. “Thank you to the supporters back home for believing in us. Thank you to the teammates and staff for all they’ve given. Regardless of the outcome, we learn and move forward.”