Harry Kane dreaming of England World Cup glory after 'worst' moment of career

Harry Kane has confessed the most devastating moment of his career continues to fuel his World Cup ambitions with England. Three years have passed since Kane missed a crucial penalty in the quarter-final loss to France in Qatar, and had he converted it would have forced the match into extra time. Following that setback, Kane became fixated on perfecting his penalty technique and has successfully converted his 31 spot-kicks since then.

The 31-year-old striker remains haunted by that night as he prepares for next summer's tournament, where he will once more carry the nation's expectations whilst captaining Thomas Tuchel's England squad in the United States. Kane revealed: "I'd say that was probably the worst that I felt in any moment. Obviously I've lost finals before. To have that responsibility, you almost feel like it fell on my shoulders and I guess not being able to execute something that I've been able to execute many a time in my career.

"I think that was the hardest part to process and take. But as always as a sportsman, putting yourself in that situation, there's going to be moments where it doesn't quite go your way.

"But yeah, I think the way I learned from that, the way that motivated me to get even better and improve, not just from the penalty side in terms of improving my technique but as an all-round player.

"After another major tournament, you get over it and get on with it. I scored a penalty in the semi-final of the Euros which was as high pressure as you are going to get. I always try and learn from those moments.

"After that penalty, I went 31, I think, without missing. So I changed my technique a little bit, I improved in that sense which I was proud of. And that's always what I will try and do.

"In terms of that being my last memory [of a World Cup], yeah, I'm looking forward to the next World Cup to try and put that right, to try and go further, to try and lift the trophy as we all dream of doing.

"And the opportunity is always there when that is coming around. I think those moments only shape you as a person, as a player and it's definitely helped me to become a better player.

"I want to help England get back there. I've been lucky enough to play in two World Cups now. I just think they are the greatest tournaments to be a part of.

"I spoke to some of the guys here who haven't experienced that yet, trying to tell them how excited they should be and it's a great thing to look forward to.

"And for me, it's using those experiences to try and help some of the other lads and for them, it's just to go full gas and enjoy the experience."

Kane has now netted 76 goals in 110 appearances after his brace in Latvia secured England's position as the first European nation to qualify for next summer's tournament.

There exists a clear connection between captain and manager built on mutual respect, given that Tuchel brought Kane to Bayern Munich and previously attempted to secure his signature whilst at Chelsea.

Now they prepare for the World Cup together, with Kane acknowledging that claiming football's ultimate prize has always been his boyhood aspiration above all else - and there's genuine confidence he can achieve it this time.

Kane continued: "It's no secret that I was a big England fan growing up. Every time a World Cup came around I was excited to watch it and be that fan down the pub and celebrate the goals.

"Obviously now I have been part of one of our most successful times as a team. Getting to two major finals has been incredible, semi-final and a quarter-final at a World Cup. We've been knocking on the door.

"But we know we're just at the bottom of the mountain still. To win a World Cup is going to be incredibly hard. But we are in a great moment.

"We'll have to beat the biggest teams on the biggest stage and these moments, these feelings we've got together right now are important stepping stones to arriving in the summer and being fearless against anyone."