HARRY KANE vows England WILL improve ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final showdown with bitter rivals Argentina in Atlanta.
And superstar is relishing a “special” first meeting with Thomas Tuchel’s “powerhouse” Three Lions.
Harry Kane has sent a warning to Argentina Credit: Getty
Lionel Messi is set to face England for the first time in his career Credit: Getty
Kane knows were lucky to seal a 2-1 comeback extra-time win over Norway following Jude Bellingham’s double.
Now the skipper is demanding more from his team-mates to overcome Messi’s 2022 reigning champions to fire his country to a first World Cup final in 60 years.
Asked how much Tuchel’s men can improve, Kane, 32, said: “I know this is going to be a topic from now until the next game and we know we can improve. We know we can play better.
“But ultimately, we are in a semi-final of the World Cup and that has not always been the case for this national team so we have to enjoy it.
“We showed a lot of great things against , things you need to be a successful team with… our desire and determination, the way everybody puts their bodies on the line for the nation.
“And it was tough out there against Norway with the heat and humidity. We can play better on the ball. We know that.”
Tuchel was unhappy with the display in Miami.
And Kane concedes his team-mates, who have reached back-to-back finals as well as the 2018 World Cup semi- final, have failed to play their best in North America.
Kane said: “We haven’t seen that yet, we’ve shown it in glimpses. Against Norway it was in glimpses.
“But we haven’t had full control that we would like and I feel we can have.
“We’ll be playing against one of the best teams in the world in the semi-final and we still feel like we can improve.
“Of course, we want to get over the line. That is the missing piece now.
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“We’re knocking on the door. We’re getting to semi-finals and finals.
“We’re going to need an even bigger push now.
“We know ourselves we have another level that we can reach.”
Messi won his 205th international cap in Argentina’s 3-1 extra-time win over but he has never faced England.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, 39, who recalls Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal from the 1986 World Cup against England, said: “Everything I have seen and remember about ’86 is from videos and images that Argentinians constantly watch and relive.
“Playing against England is special because they are a powerhouse.
“I’ve played against everyone except England, so it will be nice for that reason, too.”
Kane attempted to diffuse the spat between Bellingham and Tuchel.
Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham gave different opinions on the win over Norway Credit: Reuters
Bellingham hit back at Tuchel’s criticism of the performance in the sweltering Florida heat and said: “Maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those conditions.
“He sees us train, the closeness of us and what we can do, especially with the players we have, the way we attack, our one-on-ones and the skills, and he just wants to see that version of us.
“We’re playing against good opposition.
“He’s trying to drag it out of us and we know ourselves we have another level that we can reach.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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