Kane equals England’s scoring record in a 2-1 victory over Italy

With his 54th international goal in Thursday’s Euro 2024 qualifying opener against Italy, Harry Kane broke England’s all-time goalscoring record.

Tottenham striker Harry Kane erased memories of his crucial penalty miss in England’s World Cup quarter-final defeat by France in December by smashing home a spot-kick just before half-time to put the visitors up 2-0 in Naples.

On his 81st appearance for England, the captain surpasses Wayne Rooney’s record of 53 goals for the Three Lions.

Kane also broke Jimmy Greaves’ previous record of 266 goals in February to become Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer.

In March 2015, the 29-year-old scored his first senior international goal against Lithuania as a Wembley substitute.

He was named Gareth Southgate’s captain ahead of the 2018 World Cup, and he led England to the semi-finals, winning the Golden Boot with six goals in Russia.

Four more goals helped England reach its first major final since 1966 at Euro 2020.

Kane’s two goals at the 2022 World Cup moved him ahead of Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading scorer in major tournaments, with 12.

A career filled with personal triumphs, on the other hand, is devoid of collective acclaim.

Kane has yet to win a major club or national championship.

In addition to his England near-misses, he was on the losing side when Tottenham reached the Champions League final for the first time in their history in 2019, losing 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid.

His future at club level is again a source of speculation with just over one year left to run on his contract amid interest from Manchester United and Bayern Munich.