Trump hails Kane a 'great player' after 10-man England survive Azteca thriller to beat Mexico 3-2

Harry Kane earned an unlikely admirer on Sunday night as Donald Trump took to Truth Social to declare the England captain a “great player” following the Three Lions’ dramatic 3-2 World Cup victory over Mexico at the Azteca.

Kane scored England’s third goal from the penalty spot — his sixth of the tournament and 14th of his World Cup career — just minutes after defender Jarell Quansah was dismissed following a VAR review for a high tackle in the 54th minute. The strike drew level with Gerd Müller of West Germany for fifth place on the all-time World Cup scoring list, and leaves Kane one behind Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race.

Jude Bellingham had put England in command with two goals in quick succession in the 36th and 38th minutes, before Julián Quiñones pulled one back for Mexico on the stroke of half-time. Kane’s penalty restored the two-goal cushion after the red card, but Raúl Jiménez converted from 12 yards to set up a tense finish. Jordan Pickford held firm to preserve the result as Mexico pressed for an equaliser.

“It was a crazy game. We had to fight,” Kane said after the final whistle. “I can’t really talk, but the occasion, the team, everything against us — we found a way.”

Trump, 80, posted his tribute on Truth Social between messages marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. “Harry Kane of England is a GREAT player!!!” the US President wrote, apparently watching the historic win — England’s first at the Azteca.

Trump’s involvement in the tournament has not been limited to player tributes. The US President also publicly thanked FIFA after the governing body’s Disciplinary Committee suspended Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban — earned for a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina — placing it under a one-year probationary period instead, clearing the USA forward to face Belgium in the last 16. The Royal Belgian Football Association described itself as “astonished” by the decision.