# Harry Kane's Unusual Penalty Miss: Was It a Tactical Move?

*Harry Kane claimed his unusual penalty miss against Croatia was part of a premeditated strategy.*

June 18, 2026 · Sports

## At a glance

- Harry Kane claimed his penalty miss against Croatia was deliberate.
- The miss was part of a strategy to draw the goalkeeper out of position.
- Kane successfully scored on the retake, contributing to England's win.

Harry Kane's unusual penalty miss against Croatia during a recent match has sparked controversy, with the England captain claiming it was a deliberate tactic. After his initial penalty was saved by Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livaković, Kane insisted the miss was intentional, aiming to draw the keeper out of position for a subsequent attempt. The strategy paid off when Kane was awarded a retake and successfully scored, contributing to England's victory.

The incident began in the 8th minute when Luka Modrić fouled England forward Nnoni Madueke in the box, leading to a penalty. Kane, known for his consistent penalty-taking style, altered his run-up, pausing briefly before taking the shot. Livaković, anticipating the change, made a quick save. However, the save was ruled invalid as the goalkeeper had stepped off his line before Kane made contact with the ball.

Kane was given another chance, and this time, he reverted to his usual run-up, scoring with ease as Livaković dived the wrong way. Post-match, Kane told BBC that the change in his run-up was a calculated move, designed to exploit Livaković's tendency to step out before the shot. Despite initial doubts, the strategy worked, highlighting Kane's tactical acumen on the field.

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Source: https://pulsetoday.com.bd/en/sports/harry-kane-penalty-tactics