Kane and Konsa recall their earliest World Cup memories

England's Harry Kane and Ezri Konsa have been reflecting on the FIFA World Cup moments that first captured their imagination as they prepare to represent the Three Lions in North America this summer.

With Thomas Tuchel's squad now settled into their tournament base in Kansas City ahead of Wednesday's Group L opener against Croatia, the pair looked back on some of their earliest memories of following England on football's biggest stage.

For captain Kane, those memories stretch back to the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

The striker was just eight years old at the time, with England reaching the quarter-finals before bowing out to eventual winners Brazil.

"Early memories for me was probably the 2002 World Cup," said Kane.

"Watching it in school, in the assembly, pulling out the TV to gather around it and watch.

"Obviously had some heartbreaking moments, had some tears along the way and I was just really passionate about England."

Kane has since gone on to create plenty of World Cup memories of his own.

The England skipper won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia before helping the Three Lions reach the quarter-finals in Qatar four years later, scoring eight goals across his two appearances at the tournament.

Konsa's earliest recollections come from a later era, with the defender recalling England's campaign at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The Aston Villa defender was 12 during that tournament and remembers one incident in particular which remains one of the most talked-about moments in World Cup history.

"There's so many," said Konsa.

“I think my first memories of England at a World Cup was 2010, South Africa.

"I remember the Lampard one, hit the crossbar and went in and came back out."

The incident came during England's round-of-16 tie against Germany, when Frank Lampard saw a shot bounce down from the crossbar and over the line before spinning back into play, only for the goal not to be awarded.

The moment became one of the defining talking points of the tournament and helped accelerate the introduction of goal-line technology in elite football.

Now, Kane and Konsa will be hoping to help create more memorable moments for England supporters as the Three Lions begin another World Cup campaign.

England face Croatia in Arlington on Wednesday before taking on Ghana in their second Group L fixture, with the squad aiming to make their own mark on the tournament after years of watching and supporting from afar.

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