World Cup 2018: 5 players that stood out in the group stage.

#1 Harry Kane (England)

TOPSHOT-FBL-WC-2018-MATCH30-ENG-PAN — England vs Panama: Group G - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Harry "HurriKane" Kane, the 24-year-old Tottenham Hotspur striker took the 2018 World Cup by a storm. He captains the English team, a decision that stirred talks even among fans but soon ended after the tournament started. Kane has 5 goals and 1 assist to his name from the 6 matches he played in the World Cup qualifiers. He plays as a centre-forward supported by a second striker in Gareth Southgate's 3-4-2-1 formation.

The Englishmen faced Tunisia in their first match of the tournament. An 11th-minute tap-in from Kane put them in the lead. A foul by centre-back Kyle Walker in the 33rd minute gave away a penalty-goal to Tunisia. One minute into injury time in the second half, Kane scores a match-winning header which bounced off Maguire's head from a corner-kick.

The second match against Panama saw Kane scoring his first ever World Cup hattrick. Kane successfully scored from the penalty spot twice, in the 22nd and 46th minute. Later in the match, he completed his hattrick as a shot at the goal by Loftus-Cheek deflected off Harry Kane's foot. The match ended 6-1.

The third match for England was perhaps their biggest hurdle in the group stage, but Gareth Southgate played Jamie Vardy alongside Marcus Rashford, resting Harry Kane for the knockout stages.

Harry Kane leads the race for the FIFA Golden Boot with 5 goals and has given hopes for his countrymen, with the phrase " It's coming home" being associated with the team's success and hopes of bringing the world cup to the country that invented the game.

About the author

Adarsh is an Esports and Gaming writer at Sportskeeda specializing in FPS games like Valorant, Counter-Strike, and Overwatch 2. After joining Sportskeeda in October 2021, he has authored over 750 stories that collectively have garnered 1.5 million views. By meticulously following reputable sources and enhancing his knowledge of the topics he covers, Adarsh eliminates any margin for error, ensuring his readers receive the most accurate information. As a Journalism graduate, these practices are skills he has honed through practical experience.

In addition to his role as a gaming journalist, Adarsh managed the Valorant, Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), and Overwatch 2 departments at Sportskeeda for nearly two years. He also serves as an Esports and Gaming Editor, boasting over a year of experience in this capacity. A significant milestone in his career involves attending various international Valorant events and conducting more than 150 interviews with some of the top talents in esports.

Adarsh's gaming journey began at the age of 3 when his parents introduced him to Roadrash. While he was too young to play independently, his parents assisted him in savoring every aspect of the game. Fast forward twenty years, Adarsh continues to exhibit a passion for video games, particularly competitive and tactical FPS titles. As a result of his fondness for football, he is a devoted fan of the EA Sports FIFA or FC series as well.

During his leisure time, Adarsh indulges in reading books and watching sports. A passionate supporter of Manchester United, he is an ardent football enthusiast. He also takes pleasure in watching basketball, tennis, MMA, and poker, actively participating in these sports as well. Furthermore, Adarsh harbors a deep-seated love for cinema, enjoying the exploration and dissection of its complexities.

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Edited by Zeeshan Ali