Harry Kane Matches Gary Lineker’s England World Cup Scoring Record with Two Goals Against Croatia
Harry Kane made history by matching Gary Lineker's record for the most goals scored by an England player at a World Cup. The Bayern Munich forward netted twice in the first half against Croatia during England's match in Dallas, bringing his total to ten World Cup goals.
Kane's Goals and Match Highlights
Kane opened the scoring with a penalty after retaking a missed spot-kick due to encroachment. He then powered a header home to give England a 2-1 lead, reaching 81 international goals overall. Despite this, Croatia equalised right before halftime through Petar Musa, leveling the score at 2-2.
Early in the second half, Jude Bellingham found the net from a tight angle, restoring England’s advantage. Later, Marcus Rashford sealed the 4-2 victory with a confident curling shot inside the box. The match marked a strong start for England in the 2026 World Cup campaign.
Kane’s Stellar Season and Records in Sight
Kane's remarkable season continued after an incredible year with Bayern Munich, where he scored 61 goals, helping the club secure the Bundesliga title. His Bayern career tally stands at an astonishing 146 goals in 147 appearances.
He now trails only one goal behind becoming England’s top World Cup scorer and is six goals shy of tying the all-time World Cup scoring record held jointly by Lionel Messi and Miroslav Klose. Kane also leads England’s all-time scoring list with 81 goals, surpassing Wayne Rooney’s previous record of 53.
England’s Performance and Future Prospects
The team showed attacking strength despite defensive concerns highlighted during the match. Manager Thomas Tuchel’s side dominated much of the second half, with Bellingham's solo effort and Rashford's late goal securing the win over a tough Croatian side.
Kane has been mentioned among potential Ballon d’Or candidates, facing competition from stars like Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, and Lamine Yamal. If England progresses far in the tournament, Kane’s chances of winning the award could increase significantly.
His performance against Croatia was a timely boost, showcasing his ability to lead England’s attack on football’s biggest stage.
