Amazing. Harry Kane has surpassed Wayne Rooney’s goalscoring record for England to be the outright, all-time top scorer for the Three Lions. Kane scored his 54th goal, topping Rooney’s 53, in England’s 2-1 win over Italy in the first Euro 2024 Qualifier. Kane managed this feat just a month after breaking his club scoring record at Tottenham.
In an interview after the match, Kane claimed he wants to score “many more” goals for his country, and indicated that he is still in the best shape of his career.
The Moment Harry Kane Broke The All-Time Goal Scoring Record
Kane drew level with Wayne Rooney’s record by scoring a penalty against France in August, but the night was remembered for him missing his second spot-kick in a quarter-final exit.
However, he bounced back from that disappointment in ironic fashion in Naples, striking from the spot to move to the top of the national team scoring charts with 54 goals ahead of Rooney.
Harry Kane’s Reaction
Speaking to Channel 4 after the match, Kane said:
“Yeah it means everything. It had to be a penalty, of course, and once it hit the back of the net it was just so much emotion. Just thanks to all the players, the staff, the fans, my wife, my family back home and everyone who has helped me get to this stage. It is just a magical moment.”
Kane also praised England manager Gareth Southgate, who gave him his debut in 2015 and handed him the captaincy, saying:
“A big thanks to Gareth. My England journey started with Roy [Hodgson] but Gareth has played a really big part. We’ve had some really good times and are growing as a team. We haven’t achieved what we want to achieve yet but tonight was a big statement after the World Cup and for huge spells in the game we played really well.”
Gareth Southgate’s Reaction
Southgate after the game also praised Kane’s quality, mentality, and professionalism, stating,
“To break the record with a lot of his career to go is an incredible achievement. The players gave him a brilliant reception afterwards, that was in response to breaking the record and what he had to recover from. Everybody recognized it was a special, historic moment, and he deserves every bit of praise that he gets.”
Harry Kane’s Career Goals
It’s been a sensational year for the Tottenham and England striker, who can now boast the accolade of top scorer for both club and country.
On the 5th February 2023, Harry Kane made history at Tottenham Hotspur by becoming the club’s all-time leading goal scorer, breaking a record that had remained untouched for over half a century.
By scoring a single goal against Manchester City, Kane increased his total tally for Spurs to 267, surpassing the longstanding record previously held by the legendary Jimmy Greaves since the 1969-70 season.
Then, just over a month later, Harry Kane shows true character converting from the penalty spot in a European Qualifier versus Italy after missing from the spot at the Qatar World Cup, to earn himself the title of outright top goal scorer for England.
Harry Kane’s Most Memorable Goals for Club and Country
Harry Kane has scored 340 goals for both club and country, but some of his most notable and significant goals include:
2015 North London Derby Winner
Kane scored a late winner against Arsenal in February 2015, his first North London Derby, to give Tottenham a 2-1 victory.
2016-17 Premier League Golden Boot
Kane scored seven goals in the final two games of the season to win the Premier League Golden Boot with 29 goals, becoming the first Tottenham player to do so since Gary Lineker in 1992-93.
Hat-trick against Germany
Kane scored a hat-trick against Germany in a 3-2 win in the UEFA Nations League in 2018.
2018 World Cup
Kane won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup, scoring six goals to lead England to the semi-finals.
Record-breaking goal against Italy
Kane became England’s all-time leading goal scorer with his 54th international goal against Italy in a Euro 2020 qualifier in March 2022.
These goals have solidified Kane’s place as one of the best strikers in the world and a legend at both Tottenham and for the England national team.
What next for Harry Kane?
Harry Kane is the ripe old age of 29, which in footballing terms is just past your peak. But if Robert Lewandowski and Cristiano Ronaldo are any sort of inspiration, your 30’s are equally as prolific for top strikers.
England host Ukraine in the next Euro 2024 qualifier at Wembley this weekend. That’s the first opportunity for the record-holder to open up the gap to Wayne Rooney’s goal tally.
There are then 10 games to go in the Premier League, with Kane already on an impressive 21 goals in just 28 appearances.
He then has to deal with the ever-strong rumours of the summer transfer window, where season-on-season he will be reported to be attracting interest from the top clubs in Europe.
