Jurgen Klopp has plenty to say as international media react to England's limp World Cup win
The former Liverpool boss made a bold claim about England's match-winner Harry Kane
Jurgen Klopp made a bold claim about Harry Kane as international media reacted to England's tense win over DR Congo. Thomas Tuchel's side looked set for one of their most embarrassing World Cup exits when they fell behind to Brian Cipenga's seventh-minute goal.
But Kane delivered again with two goals in 11 minutes to set up a last-16 clash against Mexico in Mexico City. Klopp described it as the "perfect World Cup match," though England supporters may beg to differ.
Speaking on Magenta TV, the former Liverpool manager said: "Wonderful football and a wonderful example of a perfect World Cup match.
"You have the clear underdog who surprised everyone with a courageous performance, with a daring display. Courageous, cheeky, it had everything.
"They scored the goal, defended superbly. And then, in the end, the clear favourite prevailed, thanks to a player who is almost indescribable."
Klopp drew parallels between Kane's importance to England and Lionel Messi's impact on Argentina, adding: "I've truly never seen the kind of impact Harry Kane has. When Harry Kane isn't working, and that was the case for the first 30 minutes, then England isn't working either.
"The moment he found his old form in the second half, he was practically unstoppable. Harry Kane is the English Messi."
International media were far from convinced by what they witnessed. But rather than tear into what was, by and large, a dismal display, Kane's brilliance and England's dependence on him dominated reaction.
Spanish outlet El Mundo said: "The striker demonstrated once again why he is their star player, the only one capable of maintaining the necessary composure to prevent Congo from making them look ridiculous, orchestrating an epic comeback in the final stages of the match."
French publication L'Equipe drew comparisons with England's "grotesque" exit to Iceland at Euro 2016, writing: "The English fans felt a deep anxiety, which they had probably not felt for 10 years and the grotesque elimination conceded by the Three Lions against Iceland in the round of 16 of Euro 2016. The spectre of a similar fiasco loomed large in Atlanta."
It further noted: "Kane confirmed his status as the absolute saviour of a team that will once again rely on him."
Australia's Fox Sports, reporting from a London pub, highlighted the influence of the much-maligned Anthony Gordon, who assisted both of Kane's goals: "With substitute Anthony Gordon proving lively, much to the surprise of the fans at the pub who had been slagging him off when he was introduced into the game early in the second half, the star striker delivered in style.
"The skipper had emerged as a Messiah in the nick of time, saving a nation from going into early mourning."
Germany's De Welt branded him "King Kane" and wrote: "Thanks to their star striker Harry Kane, Thomas Tuchel's team avoided an embarrassing defeat."
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