Kane Breaks Lineker's England World Cup Record: 11 Goals in 14 Games Over Three Tournaments

[Kieron78]

Gary Lineker's record of ten England goals at World Cups had stood for 40 years, set across the 1986 tournament in Mexico where Lineker won the Golden Boot with six goals, and the 1990 tournament in Italy. Harry Kane surpassed it with a headed goal in the 67th minute against Panama on Saturday, his 11th World Cup goal for England across his third tournament appearance. He has now scored at three consecutive World Cups, with six in Russia 2018 where he won the Golden Boot, two in Qatar 2022 and three in this tournament so far.

The goal itself was typical Kane. Bellingham did the creative work, drifting left and cutting inside before whipping a precise cross. Kane had lost his marker with a smart run and met the ball at the near post, heading powerfully into the top left corner. It was the finish of someone who knows exactly where the ball is going before it arrives. Lineker, watching from the BBC studio, was gracious and generous about the record being broken, saying Kane thoroughly deserves it and is a fantastic England captain.

The broader context is that Kane has been below his best in this tournament's group stage. He missed the clearest chance of the Ghana game and has looked a step slower than in his peak Bayern Munich form. Breaking a major record while not playing brilliantly is something only elite strikers can do, and it points to the confidence a World Cup Golden Boot winner carries when he finds the penalty spot or a set piece delivery. If Kane gets fully sharp in the knockouts, England could have their most dangerous striker at a major tournament since Alan Shearer in 1996.

Match Centre: Panama 0-2 Englandwww.englandfootball.com