England's Harry Kane haunted by missed chances in World Cup semifinal vs. Croatia

MOSCOW – Harry Kane likely will come home from the World Cup with the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer and a burnished reputation as a feared forward.

Had Kane added to his six goals in Russia with either of his back-to-back chances in the first half against Croatia on Wednesday, when England was dominating and led 1-0, he could have been lifting the trophy Sunday.

Or the header in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes when the score was 1-1 and a goal likely would have brought England back to Moscow for the final against France.

Rising high at the back post to meet another precise free kick from Kieran Trippier, Kane misconnected and the ball bounced wide of the goal.

"It's been great to get to this stage but we wanted to keep going. We wanted to win it all," Kane said. "It hurts. I don't know what else to say. It just hurts."

When Kane got his best chances in the 30th minute against Croatia, his first shot was saved by goalkeeper Danijel Subasic. The ball rebounded almost out of play, then sat up for Kane to take another shot from less than two yards at a tight angle. The ball hit the post, ricocheted off Subasic and somehow looped up to safety.

Kane did not get another good opportunity before Croatia closed out a 2-1 victory to reach its first World Cup final.

"He's captained the team brilliantly," Southgate said of Kane. "I can't ask more of him as a captain or as a man over the last three weeks."

It seems even some tennis fans at Wimbledon would rather watch England's World Cup semifinal than closely watch the action at the All England Club.

Wimbledon's No. 1 Court was less than one-third full for the men's quarterfinal match between John Isner and Milos Raonic, which was being played at the same time as England took on Croatia in Moscow.

Centre Court was close to full for the more high-profile match between Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro taking place at the same time.

All England Club chief executive Richard Lewis said this week that tennis fans would be allowed to use their phones to follow the football match, as long as they didn't disturb the players or other supporters.

"I rooted for Croatia, wearing the Croatia jersey," he said. "I could only dream of playing for my country and of scoring one of the important goals in a final."