Harry Kane has admitted he takes full responsibility for England's World Cup exit as they bowed out of the tournament with a 2-1 defeat against France.
The 29-year-old missed a late penalty to take the game to extra-time as the Three Lions' World Cup adventure ended in the quarter-final, with Kane inevitably distraught after the final whistle.
France had taken the lead inside the opening half an hour through Aurelien Tchouameni's terrific 25-yard strike. England fought back and levelled through Kane, who slammed home from the penalty spot to level Wayne Rooney's all-time goalscoring record for the Three Lions (53).
However, Les Bleus re-took the lead against the run of play as Oliver Giroud powered home a late header to put Didier Deschamps' side on the brink of a semi-final place. This was until Kane was gifted a second opportunity from the penalty spot after Mason Mount was brought down inside the area.
But Kane couldn't convert from 12 yards for the second time in the game as he blazed over Hugo Lloris' bar, to the delight of France players. England continued to push for an equaliser but it was too little too late as they exited the competition at the quarter-final stage.
"Absolutely gutted," Kane said on Twitter. "We've given it everything and it’s come down to a small detail which I take responsibility for. There's no hiding from it, it hurts and it’ll take some time to get over it but that’s part of sport.
"Now it's about using the experience to be mentally and physically stronger for the next challenge. Thanks for all the support throughout the tournament - it means a lot."
There was to be no repeat of the Golden Boot that Kane lifted in 2018, having netted six goals in Russia as England reached the semi-final. But the Tottenham man can take heart from his performances in Qatar, with Kane scoring twice and chipping in with two assists along the way.
Kane also gave an immediate reaction to ITV following the full-time whistle and admitted that England were the better team on the night but didn't quite get the result they wanted.
"On the night we were probably the team that created the better chances. We had good spells in the game, but as you know, big games come down to fine details and margins, and they got theirs right and we didn't."
Kane batted away suggestions that his earlier penalty - smashed past Tottenham teammate Lloris into the top corner - had played a part in his second effort being blazed over the crossbar.
Explaining what happened, he said: "No, I’m always someone who prepares for, if I get one penalty in a game, two penalties, I always have an idea of what I want to do. I can’t fault my preparation or anything like that."
