Harry Kane unsure if he has played final World Cup after Argentina heartbreak

England captain Harry Kane says he does not know whether he has played in his last World Cup after a dramatic late defeat to Argentina denied his side a place in the final.

The 30-year-old striker, who turns 33 at the time of the next tournament in four years’ time, watched England’s 1-0 lead slip away in the closing minutes of their semi-final, as Argentina came from behind to win 2-1.

Anthony Gordon had put England ahead in the 55th minute and Gareth Southgate’s side appeared to be on the brink of a first World Cup final since 1966. But late goals from Enzo Fernandez on 85 minutes and Lautaro Martinez in stoppage time (90+2) sent the world champions through and left England devastated.

Speaking to Sky Germany after the match, Kane admitted it was “too early” to say whether this would be his final World Cup.

Kane looks to Messi as evidence he could play on

Kane, England’s all-time leading scorer, suggested Lionel Messi’s longevity offers hope he could still be involved at the next World Cup.

According to the Daily Mail, Kane said: “It is still too early to say that… I take it year by year and see how I feel, I love playing for England.”

He added: “But of course, four years is a long time… but on the other hand, you can see someone like Messi still playing at the highest level even at an older age. Honestly, I don’t know.”

Messi, Argentina’s captain, is 39 but continues to feature at the top level for his national team, extending his international career deep into his late 30s.

‘I’m extremely disappointed’ – Kane on England’s collapse

Kane did not hide his frustration at how England were unable to manage the game after taking the lead.

In his post-match remarks, he said: “I am extremely disappointed. Disappointed for the players, disappointed for everyone.”

“We played a good game for most of it. When we went 1-0 up, it seemed like we were just trying to see the game out, and that is not enough at this level.”

“I am really disappointed because we worked so hard to be here. The players gave everything they could in terms of effort, sweat and tears. To lose in this way today is extremely frustrating.”

Pressure, tactics and the turning of the tide

Kane said England had initially executed their game plan well, particularly in pressing Argentina high up the pitch.

“We struggled to press the ball… We pressed them well in the first half and the start of the second. We put them under a lot of pressure, especially in advanced areas of the pitch, which allowed us to win the ball and control the game a bit better,” he explained.

However, the momentum shifted markedly after Gordon’s opener.

“After the goal, whether it was because they committed more players forward in attack or because we were not able to match them man for man, the attacks were coming at us in successive waves, and we were trying to hold on. The players were blocking their attacks, but in the end it was not enough.”

‘The message was to go and score again’

Kane insisted England’s intention after going ahead had been to push on, not simply protect their lead.

“The players are always prepared for any moment in the game. When we went ahead, the message was to go again and score another goal,” he said.

“And then of course when they scored their two goals, we tried to get something out of the game but we couldn’t.”

The defeat prolongs England’s wait for a first World Cup final appearance since their 1966 triumph, while leaving lingering questions over whether Kane will have another chance on football’s biggest stage.