England exited the 2022 World Cup following a 2-1 defeat to France, with Harry Kane missing a crucial late penalty in the match. The England captain, usually a model of composure, sent the spot-kick high over the bar in a pivotal moment, ending the Three Lions' campaign in Qatar. Prior to the miss, Gareth Southgate's side had been among the standout performers at the tournament. Former England internationals Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle, who both missed penalties in the 1990 World Cup semi-final shootout against West Germany, shared insights on coping with such high-pressure failures. Pearce recalled being in the stadium and watching Kane's attempt with disbelief, stating he had never expected the striker to miss. He expressed confidence that Kane's mental strength would drive him to respond strongly, calling him one of the most resilient figures in the squad. Waddle, who also sent a penalty over the bar during his international career, noted Kane's elevated performances since joining Bayern Munich. He emphasized that players can either retreat after such setbacks or use them as motivation, citing his own post-penalty career resurgence, including being named Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year after returning to England and playing for Sheffield Wednesday. Kane remains England's all-time leading goalscorer.
Harry Kane's penalty miss in the 2022 World Cup, a rare failure for a player of his consistency, stands in sharp contrast to his otherwise unblemished record from the spot. That moment, while costly, is now framed by former England players as a potential catalyst for renewed determination, especially given Kane's strong form at Bayern Munich. No Nigerian or African player featured in this narrative.
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