Bayern Munich's Harry Kane close to ending trophy drought as UEFA Euro 2024 final looms
Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich was meant to end the trophy drought of a superstar who had previously endured several near misses. Now, with England in the UEFA Euro 2024 final, he stands on the brink of a first major trophy of his career – just not in the manner he may have expected…
No one can question Kane’s ability. A three-time English Premier League Golden Boot winner, only Alan Shearer has scored more goals in the division than Kane’s 213 efforts, while the current Three Lions captain is already his country’s record goalscorer on 66 goals. He has also struck the back of the net more often than any Tottenham Hotspur player in the club’s history and is rightly rated as one of the best strikers on the planet.
However, medals are generally used as a marker when ranking the best football has to offer and, despite his own personal success, his trophy cabinet remains empty. At club level, there have been numerous close shaves – his Tottenham side lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final, were twice runners-up in the English League Cup and came close to lifting the Premier League – but Kane and his teammates were never able to get over the line.
As such, the move to Bayern was seen as a natural step for a player who, upon moving to the Allianz Arena, said, “I don't think a day goes by when I wake up and don't think: 'I want to win something'.” After all, Bayern had won the previous 11 Bundesliga titles and were perennial Champions League contenders, an outfit with a history and mindset of victory.
Ultimately, though, 2023/24 had a familiar feel for the 31-year-old. Again, his own displays could not be criticised as he netted 36 goals in the league – the most of any Bundesliga player in their maiden term – and 44 in 45 outings in all competitions. That, though, was not enough to inspire Bayern to domestic silverware, as they were beaten to the Meisterschale by the unstoppable Bayer Leverkusen and were knocked out of the DFB Cup in the second round by Saarbrücken.
The Champions League offered hope, but Der Rekordmeister succumbed to Real Madrid in the semi-finals in dramatic fashion, thus ending Kane’s latest tilt at glory. How much pain can one incredibly talented and gifted footballer take?
At this point, though, Kane is used to bouncing back, and that is exactly what he has done by leading his country to a second successive European Championship final. It has not always been pretty, but Gareth Southgate’s team have found a way to get past whoever they have met and are now just one game away from ending their 58-year wait for a major trophy.
Watch: The best of Harry Kane
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The number nine has been at the forefront of their run, too. He tapped home from close range in the 1-1 group stage draw with Denmark, while it was his extra-time header that saw off Slovakia in the round of 16. Against the Netherlands in the semi-finals, England fell behind early on, but Kane was on hand to equalise before Ollie Watkins secured progression to the showpiece at the death.
England and Kane have been here before, of course. Against Italy in 2021, when Euro 2020 was pushed back a year due COVID-19, they played in front of their own supporters at Wembley and went ahead inside three minutes prior to a gut-wrenching penalty shoot-out defeat.
This time, they will face a Spain outfit that have arguably been the team of the tournament so far. Buoyed by the electric wing duo of Nico Williams and 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, as well as RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo and his joint-tournament-leading three strikes, they have won all six of their matches, only needing extra-time to beat Germany in the quarter-finals.
Watch: Dani Olmo vs. Harry Kane in Euro 2024 final
As such, La Roja will go to Berlin’s Olympiastadion as slight favourites, but in the England camp, there is a feeling that this is their time. After all, they have the experience of these pressure situations at international level, and have a squad full to the brim with talent. Should they prevail, plenty of players will deserve credit, but few will appreciate it more than Kane.
He has waited so long for his crowning glory, and it is now within touching distance. It remains to be seen whether history, both for him and England, will be made.
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