Roy Keane’s off-air comment about Harry Kane penalty miss was tough but true

Patrick McCarry

Not sure Keane will thank Mark Pougatch for sharing.

Harry Kane equalled the all-time goalscoring record with one England penalty, but missed a glorious chance to clinch the accolade outright. Roy Keane felt for the England captain, but his off-air comment on the miss cannot be denied.

England were eliminated from the World Cup at the quarter final stage, after losing 2-1 to France. Kane scored an equalising penalty but, after Olivier Giroud restored the French lead, could not repeat the trick when Mason Mount was fouled for a second spot-kick.

Kane had struck his first penalty to the right of France goalkeeper, and Spurs teammate, Hugo Lloris. He went the same direction but looked to place his shot higher, only to lean back and blaze high and wide. Following England’s 2-1 defeat, ITV host Mark Pougatch revealed what Keane had said about the pressure of penalty-taking, off-air.

Harry Kane of England reacts after missing a penalty against Hugo Lloris of France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Roy Keane on Harry Kane penalty miss

ITV host Laura Woods revealed in an interview, earlier this week, how Roy Keane often gives play-by-play commentary of big moments in matches, while he is doing punditry work, and speaks to the mindset of top players.

Such was the case, this evening, as Keane spoke with Mark Pougatch, Ian Wright and Gary Neville about the pressure on England captain Harry Kane to take two high pressure penalties in quick succession. Pougatch said:

“Roy said something really interesting, off-air, which is, ‘Pressure will disturb even the most professional and most calm’. That’s just an example, Ian Wright, of what pressure can do to you?”

Ian Wright agreed and spoke of Italy legend Roberto Baggio missing a penalty in a 1994 World Cup final shootout against Brazil and ‘feeling like he had no control of his body’.

Keane added, “This is just a reminder that top-level sport can be absolutely brutal. I thought England were outstanding and were the better team but you have to give France credit, because they found a way to win. They weren’t at their best but they found a way to win.”

The former Manchester United and Ireland captain said ‘you would have definitely wanted’ Kane to take the second penalty kick when it was awarded, but he was expecting him to at least hit the target.

The reigning world champions now face Morocco in the semi-final, with the winner taking on either Argentina or Croatia in next Sunday’s final.

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