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Marcus Rashford says England captain Harry Kane is leading by example at World Cup

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Marcus Rashford heaped praise on England captain for his influence on the team during Monday's 2-1 win over Tunisia.

England captain Harry Kane is leading by example at the World Cup, according to Marcus Rashford.

Kane scored two goals in England's 2-1 win over Tunisia - including an injury-time winner - to secure three points for Gareth Southgate's side in Volgograd after Ferjani Sassi's controversial first-half penalty had made it 1-1 10 minutes before half-time.

Kane was also denied two strong penalty claims when he was wrestled to the ground at corners by Sassi in the first half and Yassine Meriah after the break, which were not awarded despite the availability of VAR.

Harry Kane heads England's winner during the FIFA World Cup, Group G match against Tunisia
Image: Harry Kane heads England's winner against Tunisia

Rashford praised Kane for not allowing his frustration to get the better of him before he popped up with the crucial winner.

He said: "He's been a brilliant leader for us leading up to the tournament as well as now we've started. He always leads by example and there is no better way than by scoring goals like he has been doing.

"He's a top forward. His career is only going to go up and up. He's young and at this stage in his career he is going to keep on improving. Who knows how good he can get.

"If you ask him [about his winning goal] he'll say it is simple for him. Once you get in your stride you don't have to think much about it. You just take the opportunity as it presents itself. There are a lot of other things involved - you have to get into the right space at the right time. He did it for us again."

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Rashford, who came on as a second-half substitute in place of Raheem Sterling in Volgograd, says the entire squad accept they cannot feature in every match and understand the decisions manager Southgate has to make from game to game.

England manager Gareth Southgate gives Marcus Rashford some last-minute instructions before introducing him against Tunisia
Image: England manager Gareth Southgate gives Marcus Rashford some last-minute instructions before introducing him against Tunisia

"You need a squad to win a tournament like this and that is what we are trying to do," said Rashford. "It's not the be all and end all to be on the bench for one game,"

"In the squad that we have here everyone understands that. It's going to have to be a team effort if we are going to bring the trophy home."

Dele Alli was substituted by Gareth Southgate after 80 minutes
Image: Dele Alli was substituted by Gareth Southgate after 80 minutes

One negative to come out of Monday night's game was a thigh injury to Dele Alli. The Tottenham midfielder is set to undergo a scan on Tuesday.

"I think he is going to get it cleared up today. He managed to get through the remainder of the game, so that's a good sign. Hopefully, it's nothing too serious because he is going to be a big player for us," said Rashford.

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