Kane Still Stands By Tuchel After World Cup Semi-Final Blunder

Remember that semi-final? Tuchel did something truly baffling: switched to a back five late in the match. They were protecting a measly 1-0 lead. A decision so costly, Argentina didn't just level, they booted England right out of the tournament. The uproar was immediate, and rightly so. But Kane, ever the diplomat, told Sky Sports that Tuchel needs time. Time to 'learn from the costly tactical gamble,' he reckoned. Good luck with that.

Kane, never one to mince words when a microphone's shoved his way, went on: 'He's a big reason why we are here and why we claimed our highest finish in 60 years.' Fair enough. He also added, and this is where you hear the manager's talking points, 'Just because he is one of the best coaches in the world, doesn't mean he is going to get it right every time. The players on the pitch are the same.' It's the standard line, isn't it? 'We're all human.' Convenient.

Even Kane, surprisingly, had to concede how much that loss stung. Finishing third, after knocking off France in a wild 10-goal thriller, securing England's best overseas result since 1966—it should have felt like a triumph. Instead? That semi-final exit just leaves a nasty taste.

Then there's the personal stuff. The skipper's looking ahead. He's 33 now. Broke England's World Cup goal-scoring record this summer. You'd think that'd be enough. Nope. Kane's not ruling out a run at the 2030 World Cup. He'll be 36 then. Seriously. 'I'm coming off the back of my best season ever,' he insisted, explaining he's not about to put an expiration date on his international career. Not as long as he's performing, anyway. A man clearly not ready for the armchair just yet. Or perhaps just overly optimistic.