Millwall attacker defends ex-Lions loanee Kane for England penalty miss

Mason Bennett has defended former Millwall loanee Harry Kane for his World Cup quarter-final penalty miss.

The England captain scored one spot-kick but then missed a late second a week ago as France won 2-1 to send the Three Lions home.

“I can’t remember the last time I took a penalty,” said Lions attacker Bennett. “But I remember doing one in the shootout when I was younger and the goal just becomes so small.

“I can’t imagine what he felt like – the weight of the country on his shoulders. It’s just one of those things. [Hugo] Lloris is his club goalie – he scored the first one. We probably could’ve scored a lot more goals in that game.

“He is joint leading goalscorer for England, you can’t knock Harry Kane for what he has done in his career. He has been immense for club and country. You’ll get fans who are fickle but until you’re in that situation then you can’t comprehend what is happening.

“A couple of the [Millwall] lads went to watch it somewhere but I prefer to watch the game rather than be sociable about it. I want to watch every single minute. I went home and watched it by myself.

“The group chat was getting lively. A few of the lads didn’t want England to win, it got quite competitive in there. More disappointed what the result was. It was a great watch – two of the best teams in the world going head to head.”