Harry Kane sustained a knock on his ankle during England’s 6-2 win against Iran in the Three Lions’ World Cup opening match.
Harry Kane of England goes down injured during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and IR Iran at Khalifa International Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Image: (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images))
England and Tottenham striker Harry Kane is a doubt ahead of the Three Lions’ match against USA after sustaining an ankle injury against Iran.
Kane grabbed two assists but failed to score in the 6-2 win to move England top of Group B and is now a doubt ahead of the game against USA on Friday, November 25. The Spurs striker was seen limping through the mixed zone after the game with strapping around his right ankle after a challenge from Morteza Pouraliganji before he was substituted in the 75th minute by Gareth Southgate.
Kane has had issues with ankle injuries in the past after being absent on five separate occasions having missed 20 games for Spurs due to problems with his ankles. England will now await to find out the full extent of Kane’s latest injury as Gareth Southgate and fans sweat over their World Cup hopes.
Kane will have hopes of picking up the World Cup golden boot but his latest ankle injury scare may throw his tournament into doubt. The Three Lions face the U.S. Men’s National Team on Friday, November 25, just four days after the win against Iran which may come too quickly for the 29-year-old striker.
Callum Wilson replaced Kane against Iran and could be an option for Southgate, along with in-form Manchester United star Marcus Rashford who notched his first World Cup goal from the bench. Southgate has an abundance of attacking talent at his disposal, but Kane’s influence in attack and as a captain will be a huge miss if he is set for a prolonged period on the sidelines.
The Spurs striker was set to wear a ‘OneLove’ captain’s armband for the game against Iran, but FIFA’s stance on the gesture saw the FA back down and protect the player from being sanctioned before the match had begun. It could’ve been much worse for Kane, after his ankle was seemingly trapped under Pouraliganji as he charged forward with the ball, but the early signs come as a worry for England ahead of the rest of the World Cup.
After the game, Kane had a message for England fans following the opening win against Iran but didn’t mention his injury suggesting it’s not as bad as first feared. The Three Lions’ captain said: “Obviously a really good start to the World Cup campaign.
“Full credit to the boys, it’s never easy getting off to a winning start at a major tournament and scoring six goals shows we’re in a good place. There’s still a lot of work to do of course, we know there’s a long way to go.
“Overall, really pleasing. Congrats to Jude [Bellingham] for his first England goal, there’s no better place to do it.
“Bukayo [Saka] on fire with two great finishes. Everyone out there today did their country proud and we move on to the next one!
“Thanks for all the support back home and here in the stadium as well. Let’s keep it going for the next game against the USA.”
