JURGEN KLINSMANN says Harry Kane’s brain was scrambled by the long wait before his fateful missed penalty against France.
The England skipper sent his late spot-kick soaring over Hugo Lloris’ bar to condemn Gareth Southgate’s side to a last eight exit.
England captain Harry Kane missed a crucial penalty against FranceGetty
It was a rare blemish from the Tottenham man, who had smashed home his first penalty earlier in the second half under similar pressure.
But while Kane normally takes eight seconds after the whistle to take a spot-kick, he spent 21 seconds trying to win the mind battle with his Spurs team-mate.
Klinsmann, head of Fifa’s technical study group at the World Cup, said: “I’m a big Harry Kane fan.
“If he had the chance to just put the ball down and shoot it, I don’t think there would have been any problem for him.
“But we’ve been discussing just how much time passes from the referee whistling for a penalty and the player taking it.
“That works on your brain, as a player.
“It took so much time and in that situation you start to think and over-think.
“That all goes through your mind and you end up not executing the shot as you would have done right after the whistle.”
Klinsmann added that England might have gone home frustrated and disappointed once again but that they should still be positive over their direction under Southgate.
He added: “It’s a shame that England against France came too early in the tournament – because it should have been a semi-final or the final.
“One team had to go home and that was England.
“But they played a very good tournament and they are still a team that is growing and who are able to get better over the next few years.
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Jurgen Klinsmann claims Harry Kane’s brain was scrambled before missing his penaltyGetty
“This team has not reached its limit, by any means.
“There is a lot of talent there, players who are getting better and who will gain more experience.
“The last three tournaments, Russia, the Euros and now here in Qatar, have been very positive, even if this one ended in the quarter-finals.
“There is more to come from England.”