World Cup 2018: England totally reliant on superhero Kane . . . and that's OK

Nizaar Kinsella

World Cup 2018: England totally reliant on superhero Kane . . . and that's OK image

England is totally reliant on Harry Kane, just as Portugal was reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina was reliant on Lionel Messi.

Six goals in three games for the Tottenham hotshot at Russia 2018 have added to his incredible record of 14 strikes in 10 caps under manager Gareth Southgate.

His immense goal record includes his three penalties in this World Cup tournament, but not his penalty shootout strike, which helped to get the Three Lions to the quarterfinal, where they will face Sweden on Saturday.

WORLD CUP 2018: Sweden vs. England preview, keys. players to watch 

In the process, the England captain helped his side end its abysmal record in such scenarios. The Three Lions had never won on penalties in a World Cup prior to their victory over Colombia and improved their dire record in major tournaments to two victories from eight attempts. 

Kane's ice-cold nerves from the spot have been matched in open play. Nine shots, six on target and six goals is an incredible record; especially when it is compared to his rivals. Messi had the same number of chances as Kane, as judged by FIFA's official data, but only managed to net once.

Neymar had twice as many but has also been outscored by the England marksman, who is looking likely to end the competition as top scorer, with Belgium's Romelu Lukaku providing some competition with his four strikes.

England's star has been nicknamed "The Hurricane" by some and compared to a class A drug by one tabloid newspaper, but he had previously been doubted in his own country. He was called a "one-season wonder" after first breaking through at Tottenham, but he has gone onto score 30-plus goals for club and country for the fourth season in a row. In fact, this season he has netted an incredible 52 times.

MORE: England's 'band of brothers' ready to do 'whatever it takes'

This record puts him up with the best and now he is chasing records set by Wayne Rooney in an England shirt and Alan Shearer at club level.

As Kane has shone, operating both as a No.9, but also deeper against Colombia, some around him have failed to match his standards. Raheem Sterling, Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard have all had good moments, but haven't come close to reaching Kane's levels, or even their own club form.

The trio could give more to help alleviate pressure on Kane, by chipping in with goals or rediscovering their creative sparks. The 24-year-old has played with Raheem Sterling and Dele Alli for England more times than he has with any other player at 21 and 20 times, respectively.

Sterling, Alli, Kane

This familiarity hasn't yet delivered the fluent chemistry that could take England to the next level to be touted as potential a winner.

The trio of No.10s have all been prolific at club level but they haven't replicated their strike rates with England. A combined 83 caps between them have seen them score only six times, while at club level they got 50 goals between them last term.

Sterling has been the biggest focus of criticism, but his substitution for Jamie Vardy on Monday saw England lose a little bit of balance in extra time.

Kane's teammate Kieran Trippier has proved England's most creative player, carving out more chances and making more crosses than any teammate, while also playing a key role in contributing to an impressive defensive stability.

Jordan Pickford Kieran Trippier England Colombia World Cup 2018 030718

Southgate needs to make minor tweaks, not major ones, unless an untimely injury forces them ahead of Sweden. It is OK to be reliant on a player who is as good as Kane, as long as you are working to improve with tougher tests to come.

The concern is the football world knows all about Kane now, with him being among the 10 most-fouled players at the tournament, having been brought down 12 times. Colombia clearly took an interest in Kane, but it had little effect, even when Johan Mojica tried to scuff up the penalty spot ahead of his second-half goal.

Football is a team game, but some are more important than others. Kane is the protagonist and he will be considered a superhero, if football really does end up coming home.

Nizaar Kinsella

Nizaar Kinsella Photo

Nizaar Kinsella is a Chelsea correspondent with experience covering international football at the World Cup and European Championships. He is a trusted voice within the Chelsea community, attending almost every game and having spent many years doing so. Coverage on Goal.com has seen him invited onto CNN, BBC Radio 5 Live, TalkSport and BeINSports to comment on the turbulent world of the Stamford Bridge club. He previously worked for the Daily Mirror and BBC Radio Manchester, as well as a period working in the UK charity sector.