Paper Round: How British media reacted to Harry Kane's last-gasp heroics against Tunisia

Both The Sun and The Times picked up on Kane’s quotes that 'justice was done' after claiming he was denied two clear penalties when being wrestled to the ground inside the penalty area. But despite the apparent inconsistencies from the referee, it was Kane who had the last laugh when latching onto Harry Maguire's flick-on.

Kane said:

“For 20 minutes they were vibrant, mobile, belligerent,” says Barney Ronay, for the Guardian. England were rewarded for their fast start when Kane tapped in a rebound after 11 minutes, but then “That England” entered the fray, and an all-too familiar scenario started to play out as Tunisia frustrated Gareth Southgate’s side after levelling from the spot.

“The revs began to drop,” Ronay continues, until Kane pops up to deliver England their first-ever stoppage time winner at the World Cup. The Spurs forward “will leave England not just unexpectedly buoyant, but perhaps even heading somewhere else altogether”.

The Mirror’s Andy Dunn remarked how this “confident, high-fiving, low-fiving, funny-handshaking bunch” possess a self-assurance that does not level up as arrogance, and while there will be issues for Gareth Southgate to address, the England head coach has instilled a sense of belief in his players, made all the more remarkable that seven of that starting line-up also began the Euro 2016 “debacle” against Iceland. “If you want to get carried away, even for a little while, that's fine,” Dunn ends his article.

The Independent’s scouting report on Raheem Sterling highlights how the Manchester City forward arrived in Russia on the back of a 23-goal Premier League season, but he failed to prove his doubters wrong when presented with a golden opportunity after four minutes. His near three-year wait for an England goal goes on, and with Marcus Rashford and Jamie Vardy waiting in the wings, changes could be in the offing against Panama on Sunday.

After Brazil and Argentina stumbled to a draw, Spain and Portugal shared an entertaining point, and reigning world champions Germany lost, the main thing should be taken from this England performance is the fact that three points have been put on the board.

Too often are World Cup minnows underestimated, with the belief that they're just enjoying the ride of a rare or first-ever foray on the world stage, but the Icelands and Mexicos and Irans have certainly had their say so far this tournament.

On this occasion, Tunisia were mere minutes away from a famous draw, but it ended with captain Kane producing the goods when it mattered. It’s no time to get carried away, and the second-half showing will have few believing our name is etched on the trophy, but Kane’s late header offered England’s supporters a rare euphoric feeling, and handed the nation a belief that they will fight and fight and fight until the final whistle. For England’s sake, it’s a moment they can only hope will be drawn upon further down the line.