Harry Kane Matches Gary Lineker’s England World Cup Goal Record with Brace vs Croatia

Harry Kane Equals England's World Cup Scoring Record

Harry Kane matched Gary Lineker's record for the most goals scored by an English player at the World Cup after netting twice against Croatia in Dallas. The Bayern Munich forward now has ten World Cup goals, joining Lineker at the top.

Kane opened the scoring with a penalty that he retook after the initial attempt was disallowed due to Croatian encroachment. He then powered a header into the net to push England ahead 2-1, bringing his total international goals for the Three Lions to 81.

Just before halftime, Croatia's Petar Musa leveled the score, but England regained the lead shortly after the break through Jude Bellingham, who finished from a tight angle. Marcus Rashford later sealed the game, curling a shot into the corner to secure a 4-2 victory.

Stellar Season Fuels Kane’s Form

Kane’s impressive performance continued a remarkable season with Bayern Munich where he scored 61 goals, playing a key role in their Bundesliga title triumph. His overall tally for Bayern is outstanding — 146 goals in 147 appearances.

With this brace, Kane sits just one goal shy of becoming England's all-time top scorer at the World Cup and is eyeing further records. He is six goals behind the joint all-time World Cup record held by Lionel Messi and Miroslav Klose. Messi only recently matched Klose's record following his hat-trick against Algeria.

England's Campaign in Dallas

The match in Dallas showcased England’s attacking prowess but also revealed some defensive vulnerabilities. After the halftime break, England dominated, with Bellingham’s solo goal and Rashford’s confident finish putting the result beyond doubt.

Despite defensive concerns under coach Thomas Tuchel, England’s frontline appears sharp and threatening as they advance in the tournament. Kane’s leadership and clinical finishing make him a key figure as England pursue deeper progress in the World Cup.

Looking Ahead

Kane has accumulated 115 caps for England and continues to add to his legacy. Some predict he could contend for the Ballon d’Or later this year, though competition will be fierce with players like Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, and Lamine Yamal in the mix.

This latest display against Croatia sets Kane up well for what might come next in the tournament, as England seek to build on their 2026 World Cup campaign with ambition and firepower.