Harry Kane, England’s captain and current World Cup top-goalscorer, undying in his quest to lift gold, says playing Fortnite is what keeps his cool at the Russian tournament.
The Spurs forward, preened to perfection, humble, an endless target for Stone Cold Stunners in the penalty box, isn’t one for transcendental meditation, or yoga. Skype calls with the family may be a part of the equation but what he really loves most is tearing it up on the immensely popular video game. He is after all, just a young lad.
This doesn’t come as a massive surprise. What strikes me about footballers in general is how beyond their years they look. Not in a bad way. Our roaring lions are obviously at the very peak of physicality.
Jordan Pickford, for example. The man whose iron palm sent Colombia packing. Did you know he was born in 2002? Probably not, he was actually born in 1994. But you see what I mean? He only quit his paper round two weeks ago and he looks like he could be my uncle.
Anyway, I’m veering off track. Let’s talk about Harry Kane (birth certificate reads 1993 but surely should be 1983). In a recent interview with BBC, he let fans in on what he and the lads get up to when they’re not laying waste to fodder on the field.
He told Gabby Logan:
Playing Fortnite, as silly as that sounds. It passes the time quite well, so there are quite a few of us just playing a few games of that.
The missus is going to have a bit of a shock when I get home, probably. She’s saying it feels like we’re on a boys’ holiday – everyone just playing Fortnite and no babies… stuff like that. Just got to enjoy it while it lasts.
That you do, Harry. After an extremely tense match against Colombia, England have progressed through to the quarter finals to face Sweden on Saturday, July 7.
While the first half of their scrap against Colombia saw no goals scored, there were plenty of close calls. The second half, however, saw the on-pitch scrapping come to a head as England were awarded a penalty after Carlos Sanchez brought down Harry Kane during a corner.
After even more argy-bargy on the pitch, Kane eventually took the penalty, and nestled it firmly in the back of the net, as is his wont.
The drama didn’t end there, though, as Colombia managed to equalise during stoppage time of the second half, meaning the game had to go to extra time.
However, as extra time remained equal between the two sides, it all came down to England’s one time-Achilles heel – penalties.
Jordan Henderson was the first to fail thanks to a save from David Ospina, increasing fears of yet more penalty heartache for England – but then Mateus Uribe smashed his spot kick off the underside of the crossbar.
Kieran Trippier stepped up next to put England level, before a one-handed save from Pickford and firm finish from Dier sent England through to a last-eight clash with Sweden.
You can catch it this Saturday at 3pm (BST). Don’t miss it guys.
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