Harry Kane has surpassed Gary Lineker to become England’s leading World Cup scorer, finding the net in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Panama. The captain made it 2-0 with a superb second-half header from a Jude Bellingham cross, taking his World Cup tally to 11 and moving past Lineker’s 10.
Kane told BBC Sport he felt immense pride, calling the World Cup the pinnacle for professional footballers. He said he wanted to enjoy the moment with his teammates and being top of the group, adding that he never takes such milestones for granted and hopes there are more to come in this tournament.
Lineker—who scored six times at the 1986 World Cup and four in 1990—recently described Kane as the greatest English striker ever. After scoring twice in England’s opening 4-2 victory over Croatia, Kane became just the second England men’s player to score at three World Cups (2018, 2022, 2026), alongside David Beckham (1998, 2002, 2006). Kane won the Golden Boot in Russia with six goals and added two more in Qatar; he now has three at this World Cup as England advance to the last 32.