World Cup

[monks data]

Attendance: 33,973

World Cup | Group Stage

Jun 28, 2018 at 7pm UK

England
0-1
Belgium

FT(HT: 0-0)

Januzaj (51')

Gareth Southgate: 'Harry Kane understood Belgium snub'

By Jonny Whitfield, Reporter

Published: June 30 2018 | 12:24

Last updated: July 1 2018 | 16:04

Southgate: 'Kane understood Belgium snub'

England manager Gareth Southgate praises captain Harry Kane for his "real leadership" in understanding the decision to rest the forward against Belgium.

England manager Gareth Southgate has praised captain Harry Kane for his "real leadership" in understanding the decision to rest the forward against Belgium.

Marcus Rashford and Jamie Vardy started up front in Thursday's 1-0 defeat ahead of the Tottenham Hotspur forward, who was an unused substitute as the Three Lions finished second in Group G.

Southgate, who is expected to recall the attacker for Tuesday's last-16 tie with Colombia, added that the physical condition of his players is his priority going into next week's clash.

"[Kane] totally understood, 100% team-first," the manager told Sky Sports News.

"He said 'look, I know everyone says I want the Golden Boot - of course it's something I want to do - but the main thing is getting the team through the first knockout'. He was excellent on that, showed real leadership and understanding of the big picture.

"The most important thing for me is the players are in the best physical condition for the game. I don't think mentally we lose anything, because they know we've made changes and they know Belgium weren't their full team as well."

Kane currently tops the World Cup scoring charts with five goals.