England captain Harry Kane has revealed that leading the post-match celebrations with fans, which included a rendition of Oasis' iconic track 'Wonderwall', was among his most treasured experiences representing his country. The moment followed England's impressive 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, marking a strong start to their World Cup campaign.
Kane, who netted two goals during the match to equal Gary Lineker's record of 10 World Cup goals, shared his sentiments on the Lions' Den podcast. He described the connection felt with supporters after the game as particularly special. "That was one of my favourite ever moments in an England shirt and especially at a major tournament," Kane stated, emphasising the emotional bond forged with the fanbase. "We know how much it means to them... Everyone knew the words and that was a really special moment."
The current England manager, Thomas Tuchel, has publicly expressed his desire to maintain and build upon the strong connection between the squad and its supporters, a bond significantly strengthened under his predecessor, Gareth Southgate. Southgate's tenure saw England reach the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and the European Championship finals in both 2021 and 2024, fostering a renewed sense of national pride and engagement with the team.
Kane, aged 32, is one of three players from the 2018 World Cup squad still featuring prominently, alongside goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and defender John Stones. He noted a distinct "freshness" within the current squad, highlighting a palpable hunger and desire among the players. "There's a freshness about it, where you can really see a hunger, a desire and excitement from the players in the team just to kind of be part of what could be obviously a special summer," Kane commented, praising the team's unity and competitive spirit in training.
England's next fixture in Group L will see them face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 BST. The team will be looking to build on their winning start and continue their positive momentum in the tournament.