Croatia defender Duje Caleta-Car described Harry Kane as a “master of the game” as the two sides prepare to duel in their World Cup opener on Wednesday.
Kane has enjoyed a brilliant season, scoring 66 goals in 56 games for Bayern Munich as they won a second successive Bundesliga title and lifted the German Cup.
He appears to have carried that form into the US.
The former Tottenham striker scored the only goal in England’s 1-0 friendly win over New Zealand, before they start their Group L campaign against Croatia – the side who memorably came out on top in the 2018 semi-finals – in Dallas this week.
Kane has endured heartbreak at international tournaments multiple times, losing back-to-back Euros finals against Italy and Spain, as well as World Cup defeat to Croatia in 2018 and to eventual runners-up France in the quarter-finals four years later.
But he heads to Dallas on the back of a magnificent season and as important a figure as ever in Thomas Tuchel’s side, as the all-time record goalscorer with 79 goals in 113 games.
After that 2018 loss to Croatia England went on to earn revenge at the beginning of their run to the European Championship final three years later, when sharpshooter Kane left a lasting impression on Zlatko Dalic’s side.
“Kane impressed me in our match against England at the European Championship, even though he didn’t score,” Caleta-Car said.
“His movement and positioning – you can clearly see he’s a master of the game and knows exactly what he’s doing.”
England won that Wembley encounter 1-0 against Croatia, who finished third at the following year’s World Cup and are expecting a tough afternoon in their Texas curtain raiser.
Former Southampton defender Caleta-Car said: “The most important thing is that we translate everything we’ve worked on during our preparations onto the pitch and try to execute all of the coach’s ideas.
“The team is ready, and we’re facing a difficult match.
“We must not give them too much space because they have quality individuals who can decide a game with a single move. But we’re ready and looking forward to the first match.”
