Owen Hargreaves has told BT Sport’s coverage of Tottenham Hotspur’s win over Eintracht Frankfurt as saying that Harry Kane is the “best in the world” at taking penalties – despite the England skipper missing on in injury time.
Kane, 29, put Tottenham ahead from the penalty spot just before the half-hour mark. It came after Son Heung-min had equalised following a Kane pass. Spurs then went 3-1 up, when Son volleyed a Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg cross into the net.
Frankfurt, despite going down to 10 men, got one back – but Kane was given the chance to make it 4-2. Bryan Gil’s superb run into the box saw him tripped. But Kane blasted the ball over the bar, his second penalty miss this season.
The England skipper also missed one against Nottingham Forest, Dean Henderson stopped his effort. Of course, Kane had already put one past Germany star Kevin Trapp. Hargreaves gave his verdict, praising Kane’s ability from the spot.
“He hits them hard, Harry. But he probably hit that one harder than he normally does, he always hits the side netting perfectly. I think he is the best penalty taker in the world – but that one, he tried to snatch that one,” Hargreaves said.
Hargreaves: Tottenham star Kane best in the world at taking penalties
Taking a total of 66 penalties in his career for club and country, Kane has missed 10 times. For England, he has scored 14 out of 17. For Tottenham, he has scored 42 of 49. An incredible record. So, the odd miss is certainly forgiven.
Hargreaves has a point. Other penalty takers include the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jorginho, Bukayo Saka, Robert Lewandowski and more. Lewandowski has a better record, scoring 71 of 78 penalties taken in his career.
But the way Kane can whip a ball into the top corner is undisputed. You could put two goalkeepers in the goal, and Kane would still score – the way he strikes a penalty. His second spot kick was a collector’s item, on Wednesday night.
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