Harry Kane became England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer on Saturday, powering home a brilliant header off a Jude Bellingham cross to double the Three Lions’ lead over Panama.
The goal was the 32-year-old Kane’s 11th in a World Cup, passing Gary Lineker, who scored six times at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and added four more at Italia ’90.
“Harry Kane is, I think, the greatest English striker we’ve ever had,” Lineker said on his podcast after Kane matched his record during a 4-2 win over Croatia. “I genuinely think that now. His all-around game, that’s, for me, what separates him from all the others.”
Kane scored twice in the opening match win making him only the second England men’s player to score at three different World Cup, joining David Beckham (1998, 2002, 2006).
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After debuting for England in 2015, Kane scored his first international goal as a sub during a Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania. The striker needed only 80 seconds to open his account. He passed Wayne Rooney to become England’s all-time men’s leading goal scorer in March 23 with his 54th international goal.
Through 116 appearances for his country, Kane now has 82 international goals, still a ways away from all-time leaders Cristiano Ronaldo (145) and Lionel Messi (122).
Kane began his road to England’s World Cup goals record with six strikes at Russia 2018, including a hat trick against Panama and a brace versus Tunisia during the group stage. He would also take home the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer.
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Four years later in Qatar, he had a quiet World Cup on the goals side with only two, but did contribute three assists.
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