Remembering the Harry Kane Masterclass: Great Striker, Bad Goalkeeper

Harry Kane will still have nightmares about his goalkeeper cameo
Harry Kane will still have nightmares about his goalkeeper cameo / GLYN KIRK/Getty Images
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Few players on this planet are as good at getting the ball in the back of the net as Harry Kane. He scores goals with breathtaking ease and has created countless memorable moments in the attacking third.

However, on 23rd October 2014, he created one in the defensive third...and it wasn't the best.

The visit of Asteras Tripolis to White Hart Lane was a fun one for Spurs fans. On paper, it always looked like it was going to be an easy win for Mauricio Pochettino's side, and when they were 2-0 up at half time, fans were already celebrating.

Kane was completely dominant in attack
Kane was completely dominant in attack / Clive Rose/Getty Images

Kane netted one of those goals and added another two after the break. Life could hardly have been better, but in the 87th minute, disaster struck.

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was shown a red card, and Spurs had just used up their third substitution to give Aaron Lennon some pointless minutes. Spurs needed a hero to step up and try their hand in goal, and who better than the man who'd netted three down the other end?

Throwing on Lloris' shirt, Kane's first task was to keep out a free kick. Clearly feeling a bit guilty, Asteras' Jerónimo Barrales sent a tame effort low and directly at Kane. It was the kind of shot the striker-turned-goalkeeper would have been relieved to see come at him.

Unfortunately, having spent so many years ensuring all his talent went to his feet, Kane soon realised that his arms were not there to help.

He got his body behind the ball, but his arms weren't listening and spooned the ball over the line and into the back of the net to give Asteras a consolation goal after 87 minutes of being decisively thumped.

Kane simply stood there shaking his head, smiling as chants of England's Number One began to fill up the stadium. He'd scored three goals but knew full well the headlines wouldn't mention any of them tomorrow.

Thankfully, his incredible performance in attack meant literally nobody cared about his mishap in between the sticks.

Enjoy this iconic picture
Enjoy this iconic picture / GLYN KIRK/Getty Images

Well, actually, everyone on social media cared, and they continue to do so. It was iconic.

Since then, Kane's stuck to scoring goals down the right end of the pitch, and to his credit, he is England's number one these days... just not in goal. Never in goal.


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