Harry Kane starting 2026 World Cup like this honestly feels like complete mood change from last time . Two goals in England's 4-2 win over Croatia,and suddenly whole conversation around him looks different .
And this is not small thing ah,because in 2022 World Cup he struggled badly to get goals going . This time,he has started fast,sharp and with that proper striker confidence which England badly needs in big tournament.
Pressure was there also . When players like Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi already scored in their opening matches,Kane was obviously being watched closely . But he answered within just 12 minutes of match,scoring early and calming lot of nerves around him.
Few things standing out clearly here:
- Kane scored two goals in England's 4-2 win over Croatia .
- His start is very different from 2022 World Cup,where goals did not come easily .
- He is again aiming for Golden Boot and wants to become first player to win it twice.
And under Thomas Tuchel,it looks like Kane is getting role which suits him more . There is bit of Bayern Munich style in how he is being used,where he is not just waiting inside box but linking play,dropping deeper and still arriving for chances.
Team around him also looks more useful for his game rn . Jude Bellingham and Noni Madueke bring pace,energy and movement,so Kane is not carrying attack alone . That kind of support can make big difference when tournament pressure starts increasing.
What I liked more is that Kane is not only scoring,he is putting work in defensively also . Blocking shots,tracking back,doing those small things which people sometimes ignore when talking about strikers.
And then there is penalty pressure part . After previous miss,retaking penalty and putting it in same spot needs serious calm mind. Many players would overthink that moment,but Kane showed he can still handle pressure when spotlight is fully on him.
His Russia in 2018 Golden Boot run is obviously coming back into discussion now . But World Cup can change very quickly,and one big performance does not remove all doubts forever .
Still,this version of Kane feels fitter,more settled and more dangerous . Whether that becomes another Golden Boot run or England finally getting closer to World Cup glory… that question is still hanging there…
