Ian Wright has claimed that Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano was ‘afraid’ of Tottenham striker Harry Kane during England’s controversial 2-1 defeat to France at the Qatar World Cup.
There were a number of major talking points during the quarter-final showdown, including Kane questioning if he should have been awarded a penalty in the first half after he was fouled by the £36 million centre-back (Sky Sports).
This came after Upamecano fouled Bukayo Saka in the build to France’s opener, which came via the right-foot of Aurélien Tchouaméni from long-distance.
From a defensive standpoint, England were beaten and punished at the most crucial moments by an experienced France side, whose forward line went all the way in Russia in 2018.
But, from an attacking sense, Gareth Southgate’s side were all over the world champions, including Kane and Saka causing France’s midfield and defence many problems.
Wright was left frustrated that England weren’t awarded a possible penalty in the first half following a foul on Kane, after the Englishman missed and scored one in the second half, as he told ITV Sport.
“He’s afraid of Harry Kane, that’s the thing,” said Wright. “He’s on the wrong side of Harry already. He’s had a dig there and I can’t see (how it’s not a foul), they say it’s outside of the box. I am very surprised.
“The only thing you can say is that they thought it was outside of the box and they (VAR) have then not given the foul.”
DISAPPOINTMENT FOR KANE AND ENGLAND
After reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and then the final of Euro 2020, then this exit at the quarter-final stage has to be seen as a failure.
Yes, it was against the champions of the world, but the Three Lions have set the bar higher and higher in recent years, so at a minimum, they should have been reaching the last four.
Kane didn’t score during the group stages, but his performances were still of high quality, he got his two goals in the knockouts, which moved him level with Wayne Rooney as England’s all-time top-scorer, but for now, that’s not going to matter too much to him given the manner of how England bowed out against the French.
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