Harry Kane now stands alone as England’s greatest striker. Already the nation’s top international goalscorer, he now stands alone as England’s most potent goalscorer at the World Cup
Gary Lineker held the record for 36 years, but Kane has now gone clear, scoring 11 goals in three tournaments.
Having equalled the record in England’s opening game of the 2026 World Cup, Kane had to wait 205 minutes to surpass Lineker, finding the back of the net in the 67th minute against Panama to win Group L and set-up a Round of 32 tie against one of Senegal, DR Congo or Portugal.
Harry Kane breaks Gary Lineker’s record and becomes top-scoring Englishman in World Cup history
Daily Mail Sport ranks Kane’s World Cup goals after a record–breaking night in New York, New Jersey:
11. 3rd goal vs Panama (Russia, 2018)
If there were an award for his strangest goal, this would win it. Ruben Loftus–Cheek shot from distance, and Kane inadvertently registered his hat–trick as the ball struck the back of his leg and beat Jaime Penedo.
They all count, but this one was not worthy of any style points.
Harry Kane bags match ball against Panama at 2018 World Cup
10. 1st goal vs Croatia (United States, Mexico & Canada, 2026)
A fifth World Cup penalty goal for Kane, making him the player who has profited the most from the spot in World Cup history.
This was not one of his most convincing attempts to begin with, as Dominik Livakovic saved it slightly to the left but still far too central after a stuttered run–up.
But take your pick of the infringements – Livakovic was off his line, while Josko Gvardiol had crept into the penalty area.
A retake was ordered, and Kane showed nerves of steel to go the same way, expertly dispatching into the bottom corner. Was it ever in doubt?
A fifth World Cup penalty goal for Kane, making him the player who has profited the most from the spot in World Cup history
9. 1st goal vs Panama (Russia, 2018)
Cutely executed. Penalty fired into the top corner. Ranked lower than some of his penalties, as he won them himself or they were higher–pressure moments.
8. Goal vs Colombia (Russia, 2018)
Davinson Sanchez could not handle Kane’s movement as a corner delivery looped into the box and dragged him down.
Coolly slotted away straight down the middle. Gave England the lead in the last 16 of the World Cup. An important goal in a tie England eventually won on penalties.
Kane scores important goal in a tie England eventually won on penalties
7. 2nd goal vs Panama (Russia, 2018)
A convincing penalty smashed into the top right corner. The finish was more or less the same as his prior spot kick in the same match. This one edged it, though, having won the penalty himself.
6. Goal vs France (Qatar, 2022)
This game will always be remembered for the heartbreak, but the nation will always have the moment that Kane equalised against France in the quarter–final of a World Cup – igniting copious hope. A pressure penalty that matched the moment.
It was not meant to be, of course, and Kane’s brilliant penalty smashed into the top corner will always be overshadowed by his later miss. What could have been.
Kane scored and missed a penalty against France in 2022 – what could have been
5. 1st goal vs Tunisia (Russia, 2018)
A simple finish for someone of Kane’s quality, but he still had to get himself into the position to score. John Stones had a headed attempt clawed out by Tunisia goalkeeper Mouez Hassen.
However, Kane positioned himself well and exhibited excellent instincts to get himself into a position where he was free to tap in with his right foot – a shrewd gamble.
His first goal at a World Cup. Monumental.
Kane celebrates scoring his first ever World Cup goal
4. 2nd goal vs Tunisia (Russia, 2018)
Strikers should take note of Kane’s movement from set–pieces. This was a goal with more expert movement, finding the space and occupying it. Kieran Trippier’s delivery was met by a towering Harry Maguire, who knocked on to Kane in space at the back post.
He bought himself time and simply guided past the near post to beat Tunisia in stoppage time and ensure England’s 2018 campaign – where they reached the semi–final – began in victory. If England had not won that game, it could have been a very different tournament.
If England had not beaten Tunisia, it could have been a very different tournament
3. 2nd goal vs Croatia (United States, Mexico & Canada, 2026)
Kane’s intelligence was on full display as he added his second goal of what he hopes will be a fruitful 2026 World Cup.
A textbook run to the penalty spot allowed him to meet Declan Rice’s inswinging corner undetected and bullet his header into the bottom corner.
2. Goal vs Panama (United States, Mexico & Canada, 2026)
This goal will mean the most to Kane. It’s not quite his best, though.
The record–breaker. He was already England greatest striker, 29 goals clear of Wayne Rooney as the Three Lions’ top all-time scorer. But England’s World Cup top-scorer adds another degree of class.
Kane tracked an exquisite cross from the left by Jude Bellingham, got ahead of the defender and glanced his header into the top corner from six yards. It was a relatively straightforward finish, but this goal showcased his sharpness. Notwithstanding the pressure of the record staring him in the face.
A rare open play goal for Kane at the World Cup, but what a time to score one. The attention now turns to extending his grip at the top and trying to add the World Cup trophy to his historic spell as England’s No.9.
1. Goal vs Senegal (Qatar, 2022)
Eight of his 11 goals in at the World Cup have come from set–pieces. This was quite simply the most polished moment.
Kane took a while to find the back of the net in Qatar, but he could not have found a better way to open his account.
England’s top scorer topped off a majestic counter–attacking move kick–started by Bellingham, who carried the ball from deep in his own half into the Senegal half before finding Cole Palmer.
A silky square pass from Palmer found Kane, and the England captain bulleted his right–footed shot past Edouard Mendy to earn England their second in the last 16.
Counter–attacking brilliance.
