Prince Harry’s story is one of happiness and redemption

Superb striker shows composure to break his duck in tournaments

After the positivity of the build-up, there was always a risk Harry Kane would be brought back down to earth. Nobody expected it to be by rugby tackle. England’s captain was not on the floor for long. Kane as classic English hero has been a riff for a while. If it felt contrived at times, it was made real in Volgograd.

His first World Cup goal was followed by a brilliant second in stoppage time to win the game. Brilliant, because Kane had to twist his neck and side-spin the ball into a recess of Tunisia’s net.

The coolness England lacked for the middle section of this sometimes twitchy performance was there throughout in the leader, who is now only one short of Cristiano Ronaldo’s opening-round hat-trick. Funny that, because Kane was asked about Ronaldo’s stunning start, and whether he could match it, as part of his welcome to the job of World Cup leadership. He had squirmed and laughed. “For sure, he’s put me under a bit of pressure. He’s a fantastic player who had a fantastic game, but it’s about concentrating on the team,” Kane said.

And concentrate on the team he emphatically did, rescuing his side from another deluge of pessimism. The bundle that formed on top of Kane when he scored his first-ever World Cup goal showed how much this England side want their captain to shine in Russia.

Respect is part of it, but selfinterest plays the greater role. He is the only Prince Harry out here from London and they need him to