World Cup 2018: England have shown we can challenge - Harry Kane

Published on: 11 July 2018

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Mandzukic nets extra-time winner against England

England have shown they are capable of challenging at major tournaments after losing in the World Cup semi-finals to Croatia, says Harry Kane.

The Three Lions took an early lead via Kieran Trippier's free-kick but the Croats battled back to win 2-1 in extra time and reach their first ever final.

"We know we've done everyone proud and we wanted to win it. It hurts. We can be up here," captain Kane told ITV.

"The next step is to go one further. We want more. We're gutted."

He added: "We have to dust ourselves down, be proud of what we've done and go again in a couple of years.

"This is a great foundation we have built with the gaffer [Gareth Southgate], we are proud of what we have achieved but we wanted more and are sad we couldn't give our fans a final."

England - who were playing in only their third World Cup semi-final - face Belgium in Saturday's third place play-off, with Croatia playing France in Sunday's final.

    Rate the players - Croatia v England Follow reaction to the game here

England boss Gareth Southgate said that by the final whistle, when injury had reduced his team to 10 men, "several players were out on their feet".

"The reaction from the fans at the end shows you everything they've given," added Southgate.

"We've come an incredibly long way in a short space of time. The whole thing is beyond where we thought we might go. Tonight we weren't quite there, but the team will be stronger for it.

"As we reflect there will be positives, but it's difficult tonight. We were so close to what was unimaginable at the start.

"We've left everything out there. We'll look at the goals and chances but I don't think we could have given more over these six or seven weeks.

"When you have spells in a game against a quality side you have to make them count. We needed a second goal."

More to follow.

Source: bbc.com

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