EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey – Harry Kane became England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with his second goal in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Panama at MetLife Stadium.
Jude Bellingham scored England’s first goal in the 62nd minute and five minutes later provided the assist for Kane as Kane scored his 11th World Cup goal, one more than Gary Lineker’s previous men’s record. It was Kane’s third goal of the tournament.
England progressed to the last 16 as group winners and will face Democratic Republic of Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday.
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“Of course it’s something to be proud of,” Kane told the BBC. โI said before the tournament that the World Cup is the biggest competition we play in as professional footballers, so scoring 11 goals is a proud feeling.
“It’s always hard to accept. I just want to enjoy this moment with the team, enjoy being at the top of the table. I never take these moments for granted. Another big milestone to overcome and I hope it’s not the last of this tournament.”
Harry Kane celebrates his record-breaking goal in England’s win over Panama. Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Kane has 18 goals in major international tournaments for England and already holds the England record with 82 goals in 116 appearances. He won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, scoring six goals en route England to the semi-finals.
Kane’s 82 goals compare him with Jurgen Klinsmann, and Kane also tied Sandor Kocsis with 11 World Cup goals.
Lineker called Kane “the greatest English striker we’ve ever had” after his brace in the team’s first match of the tournament.
โItโs an honor to play with him,โ Bellingham said. โHe is the best England player of all time; he is the one who has appeared on the pitch more than anyone else, more than any England player.
โHe is at an incredible level at the moment. Just don’t doubt him because you know he’s going to change the game.”
Kane scored two goals at the 2022 Qatar World Cup but missed a penalty against France in the quarter-final defeat.
Lineker scored his 10 goals in two tournaments, winning the Golden Boot with six goals in Mexico in 1986 and then adding four in Italy in 1990.
โItโs fantastic that he has the chance to break this record at the World Cup. He did this to us. Harry is in an amazing state of mind, including physically,โ said England coach Thomas Tuchel. โHe is hungry to finish this World Cup. He’s not satisfied and that shows us his character and determination.”
Kane’s goal against Panama has him aiming to become the first player to win the Golden Boot twice. He is two behind Lionel Messi (five), while Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele and Vinicius Junior have four each.
Kane’s latest milestone comes after a remarkable campaign at Bayern Munich. The striker scored 70 goals per season for club and national team.
PA and The Associated Press contributed to this report.