Harry Kane provides crucial injury update after scare in England's Euro 2024 win against Switzerland
England captain Harry Kane has shared an update after picking up an injury in his team's UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final win over Switzerland in Dusseldorf, Germany on Saturday (July 6).
The Three Lions, who beat Slovakia 2-1 in their last outing, progressed to the Euro 2024 semi-finals after a hard-fought victory over Murat Yakin's side. They defeated Switzerland 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 stalemate at the end of regulation time in the continental contest.
Kane, 30, failed to play in the entire 120 minutes of action as he picked up a minor problem in the second period of extra-time. The Bayern Munich attacker was seen holding his leg before being replaced by Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who netted in the penalty shootout.
During a post-game chat with BBC Radio 5 Live, Kane was queried to offer his two cents on his injury which forced him to get replaced in the 109th minute. He replied (h/t The Standard):
"I'm fine, I was just tired. I had a bit of cramp there, I tripped over the water bottles and both my calves cramped up. The boss made a quick decision, with Ivan a proven penalty taker. He came on and did the job."
Opining on England's victory on penalties in Dusseldorf, Kane added:
"We had a penalty shootout before against Switzerland in the Nations League and that was the only other one I've been watching [from the touchline]. Might be a little good-luck charm! We trust in whoever is on the pitch."
Kane, who scored 44 goals in 45 games for Bayern last season, said:
"The difference between this year and past year is we've got proven penalty takers. Ivan [for Brentford], Cole [Palmer for Chelsea], Bukayo [Saka] takes them for Arsenal. We had a lot more experience in that sense and obviously they showed it out there."
Jamie Carragher lambasts England despite crucial Euro 2024 triumph over Switzerland
In his column for The Telegraph, Liverpool great Jamie Carragher stated that both Spain and France would want to face England rather than Netherlands in the Euro 2024 final. He wrote:
"What baffles me is how so little in the team is functioning correctly. To be positive, we can say they are holding up defensively. Again, the caveat is they are yet to play a side with any world-class forwards. The French and [the] Spanish will want to play England in the final because they will be confident they will create the opportunities which others have not taken."
England registered just three shots on target in their Euro 2024 last-eight win over Switzerland, who created more xG in Saturday's clash.
Gareth Southgate's team will face Netherlands, who beat Turkey 2-1 on Saturday, in their Euro 2024 semi-final encounter this Wednesday.