Germany legend Jurgen Klinsmann believes that Harry Kane missed a crucial penalty during England's World Cup loss to France because he had too much time to 'overthink'.
The Three Lions fell behind to a screamer from Aurelien Tchouameni in the first half of Saturday's quarter-final, but Kane managed to level from the penalty spot soon after the interval, tying Wayne Rooney's all-time England scoring record in the process.
Olivier Giroud put Les Bleus back in front in the latter stages, before England were awarded another penalty following a lengthy VAR check for a Theo Hernandez foul on Mason Mount.
Kane ended up missing the second penalty, firing way over club-mate Hugo Lloris' crossbar, and Klinsmann thinks that this long wait is at least partly why the Tottenham striker fluffed his lines.
"There is far too much time passing with VAR checks," Klinsmann said. "It works in your brain.
"I'm a big Harry Kane fan. If he had the chance to put the ball down and take it immediately [he would have scored]. But the time goes by and you overthink."
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Kane has already missed three penalties this season, with Saturday's misfire almost identical to that which he failed to convert against Eintracht Frankfurt for Tottenham back in October.
He has only failed to convert from the spot on 11 occasions in his career, with this most recent miss the first time that Kane's side has then gone on to lose the game.
Source : 90min