Harry Kane became England’s highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history after scoring his 11th goal in the tournament during the Three Lions’ 2-0 win over Panama on Sunday.
The England captain headed home in the 67th minute after Jude Bellingham’s surging run and precise cross, putting the result beyond Panama and taking sole possession of a record he had shared with Gary Lineker. Lineker scored 10 World Cup goals across the 1986 and 1990 editions, but Kane has now gone one better after featuring in three tournaments.
The goal also moved Kane ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gabriel Batistuta on the list of the World Cup’s all-time leading scorers. Only six players have scored more goals than the Bayern Munich striker, who is now one shy of Brazil great Pele’s tally of 12.
Kane’s World Cup goals have come across three editions of the tournament. He scored six times to win the Golden Boot in Russia in 2018, added two goals in Qatar four years later and has now taken his tally to 11 with three strikes in the ongoing World Cup.
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The latest goal capped another remarkable season for the England captain. It was his 70th goal for club and country in 2025-26, taking him past Cristiano Ronaldo’s best single-season return of 69 goals in 69 appearances for Real Madrid and Portugal during the 2011-12 campaign, according to Opta.
Kane reached the milestone in just 60 matches. Among the current generation, Erling Haaland’s best return stands at 61 goals in 61 games during the 2022-23 season, while Kylian Mbappe’s highest tally is 54 in 56 appearances. Only Lionel Messi has produced a better campaign, scoring 82 goals in 69 matches for Barcelona and Argentina in 2011-12.
The 32-year-old has enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his career. He helped Bayern Munich complete the domestic double, claimed a third successive Bundesliga Golden Boot and earlier this year overtook Jimmy Greaves to become the highest-scoring English footballer in history.
Kane’s record-breaking strike also came at an important moment in England’s campaign. After a goalless first half, Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute before Kane doubled the advantage five minutes later, sealing victory and confirming England’s place in the Round of 32 as Group L winners.
With the knockout rounds approaching, Kane has another landmark within reach. One more goal will see him draw level with Pele on the World Cup scoring charts, while England will hope their captain’s form can fuel a serious challenge for the title.
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