Harry Kane admitted that there is still room for improvement in the team's overall performance.

England captain Harry Kane reiterated that the team still has room for improvement in their performance at the 2026 World Cup. Thanks to Jude Bellingham's brace in extra time, England defeated Norway 2-1, advancing to the World Cup semi-finals and bringing the team one step closer to their championship dream.  

Harry Kane said the sweltering conditions in Miami posed a significant challenge for England, but the team ultimately prevailed thanks to their tenacity. He stated, "It was a very difficult match. The heat and humidity made it exceptionally physically demanding, even more so than our game against Mexico. However, the most important thing is that we ultimately won."  

"We were well aware that we didn't show our best form in this match. I mentioned in a pre-match interview that this team still has room for improvement. Even now, I still believe that we haven't truly played to our full potential."  

“We have players in our squad who can influence the course of a game in crucial moments. Today, Jude Bellingham once again changed the outcome of the game with his performance, and all his teammates in the back, Jordan Pickford, and Elliott Anderson around him all contributed greatly. In fact, every player who stepped onto the pitch gave their all. Team cohesion has always been our greatest strength, and this game demonstrated that once again.”  

After successfully advancing to the semi-finals, England will travel to Atlanta to face the winner between Argentina and Switzerland in the World Cup semi-final. Although manager Thomas Tuchel believes the team still has much to improve upon in this match, captain Harry Kane stated that such feedback will actually motivate the team to continue improving.  

Harry Kane continued, "He first congratulated everyone in the dressing room and hoped we would enjoy the victory and the advancement. However, he also reminded everyone that this team still has room for improvement, and we are fully capable of playing better."  

"From another perspective, this may not be a bad thing. Reaching the World Cup semi-finals while recognizing that we still have room for improvement shows that the team has even greater potential to tap. We still have room for improvement in ball control and game management, and what awaits us next are even more crucial matches."  

This match against Norway marked Harry Kane's 120th appearance for the England national team. With this milestone, he equaled Wayne Rooney's record, becoming joint second-most capped players in England's history. Kane stated that as the World Cup enters its final stretch, every player in the team will play a crucial role in the race to win the title.  

Harry Kane said: "We reached a consensus six weeks ago when the team regrouped that this tournament requires the collective effort of every player. In a major tournament like the World Cup, the process is never smooth sailing, and it's inevitable that some players will feel disappointed or regretful for not making the starting lineup."  

"I completely understand how they feel. But whether you're a starter or a substitute, once you step onto the pitch, everyone gives their all for England and for the badge on your chest. Today, everyone showed that spirit again. Several substitutes significantly improved the team's performance after coming on, especially Jade Spence, who played a fantastic game. He injected more energy into the team, performed exceptionally well in one-on-one duels, and had a significant impact on the course of the game, which was exactly what the team needed at that moment."  

"The schedule remains very tight, and we will soon have another match. As the competition progresses, our opponents will only get stronger. In the coming days, every player on the team must be prepared and work together to meet the challenges ahead."  

Image source: Internet/England National Team official website