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France were gobsmacked Harry Kane took second penalty and ‘felt another would step up’
France were gobsmacked Harry Kane took second penalty and 'felt another would step up',Harry Kane ended up missing the crucial penalty that could have sent England to extra-time against France, who went on to beat the Three Lions 2-1 in their World Cup quarter-final

France were gobsmacked Harry Kane took second penalty and ‘felt another would step up’

France could not believe their eyes when they saw Harry Kane take the ball for the second penalty of the quarter-final tie against England.

The Three Lions went out of the World Cup after losing 2-1 to Didier Deschamps' men, who have the chance to reclaim the crown they won four years ago in Russia. But it could have been different had Kane hit the net as he so often has done in the past from 12 yards out.

The England captain had netted from the spot earlier in the contest when Aurelien Tchouameni, France's first goalscorer, fouled Bukayo Saka in the box. Kane made no mistake this time but could not repeat his heroics later on.

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And members of the France squad were left gobsmacked when the Tottenham star went up take the penalty as they believed someone else would have stepped up to take on the duties, according to French reporter Julien Laurens.

It was pointed out Kane had done something similar in a Champions League tie against Eintracht Frankfurt back in October. On that occasion, the striker took two penalties, netting the first before firing the second over the top of the goal – sound familiar?

"The French could not believe Kane was taking the second one," said Laurens. "They were convinced someone else would take it. They said it’s impossible.

Harry Kane blazed his effort over the bar from the penalty spot
Harry Kane blazed his effort over the bar from the penalty spot
Harry Kane blazed his England penalty over
Harry Kane blazed his England penalty over

"If you remember the Eintracht Frankfurt game in the Champions League, he blasted the second penalty over the bar. "Already there is something for him about taking two penalties in the same game against the same goalkeeper.

"If that goalkeeper is your friend, and they are really good friends, they see each other outside of football, maybe there is something in that."

From an English point of view, it would have been more of a shock had Kane not stepped up to take the second penalty. Without a doubt, the Three Lions captain is the best from 12 yards, though other options of players who could have taken it include Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling.

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