England dare to dream about World Cup glory

– Qualification for the last-16 secured with a game to spare, Harry Kane (right) leading the race for the Golden Boot and a record World Cup win after thrashing Panama 6-1 – England could not have wished for a better start in Russia.

Even accounting for soft opposition in the World Cup debutants and Tunisia before that, England’s record so far contrasts starkly with four years ago when they were already eliminated after just two games in Brazil.

Manager Gareth Southgate’s decision to bring the third-youngest squad on show in Russia is pay-

Repino

ing off so far as the Three Lions look full of energy and lacking in the fear of failure that has blighted so many campaigns in a 52-year wait to win a major tournament.

Most importantly of all, in Kane they have a striker the whole world will fear.

In just two World Cup appearances, the Tottenham striker now has as many World Cup goals as Lionel Messi after backing up his double to beat Tunisia with the first World Cup hat-trick from an Englishman since Gary Lineker in 1986.

Southgate and his backroom staff also deserve credit for a series of innovative set-piece routines that have already reaped four goals.

Kane has demonstrated that this England side has at least one reliable penalty taker should they be forced into a shootout in the weeks to come by smashing two immaculate spot kicks into the top corner.

“We are just enjoying it,” said Kane. “We have been working on set pieces and working on the way we play and it is all coming together.

“Fantastic to be through and to do it this way is brilliant.”

Much tougher tests await, be- ginning with Belgium – who have also hit a total of eight goals past Panama and Tunisia – on Thursday.

For now, though, after so many tournament disappointments in recent years, England are happy to have the luxury of weighing up who they would rather face in the knockout rounds, and fortune on their side.

“The third one is probably one of the luckiest goals of my career,” added Kane. “So far it’s been going my way, so hopefully that continues.”

With luck like that, England really can dare to dream. – AFP