Spurs boss Conte 'not worried' about Kane after England penalty miss at World Cup

A dejected Harry Kane of England reacts after his team is knocked out of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar after they lost to France at Al Bayt Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar.
A dejected Harry Kane of England reacts after his team is knocked out of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar after they lost to France at Al Bayt Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar.
Image: James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte said he is not concerned about Harry Kane after the England captain's penalty miss against France at the World Cup in Qatar earlier this month.

Kane had drawn England level with France in the quarterfinal tie with a successful spot kick that saw him match Wayne Rooney's record haul of 53 goals.

He then had the chance to make it 2-2 after Mason Mount was barged over by Theo Hernandez in the area, but blazed his effort high over the crossbar.

England lost 2-1 to France.

Asked if he was worried about Kane's mindset on the striker's return to Spurs, Conte told reporters: “No, honestly because we're talking about a world-class striker.”

“In football, you can have exciting moments and you can also have moments where you are a bit disappointed because you missed a penalty, the second penalty, as the first he scored,” added Conte, who was part of the Italy squad that lost to Brazil on penalties in the 1994 World Cup final.

“But for me, when I was a player, I never missed a penalty because I didn't take one. Never! Because I was a real disaster at it. But with a penalty, I lost a World Cup against Brazil and I think you live through this moment, and you are really disappointed.

“For sure, the first period you are sad, but then you know that you have to move on. Football gives you the opportunity to have other chances to enjoy football ... Honestly, I am not worried about him. I saw that he is very well in these two days with us.”

Spurs, who are fourth in the Premier League standings, take on 10th-placed Brentford on Monday. 

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