Harry Kane Matches Gary Lineker's England World Cup Goal Record with Brace Against Croatia

Harry Kane matched Gary Lineker's record for the most goals scored by an English player at the World Cup after netting twice in the first half against Croatia. The Bayern Munich forward reached his tenth World Cup goal in a strong opening half for England in Dallas.

Kane opened the scoring by converting a penalty on a retake, after his initial attempt was disallowed due to Croatian encroachment. He then powered home a header to put England ahead 2-1, raising his total to 81 goals for the Three Lions.

The game was level at halftime following a late equalizer by Petar Musa for Croatia. Early in the second half, Jude Bellingham restored England's lead with a sharp finish from a narrow angle.

Kane's Form and Records

Kane’s performance builds on an outstanding season with Bayern Munich, where he scored 61 goals across all competitions, helping secure their Bundesliga title. His tally for Bayern now stands at an impressive 146 goals in 147 appearances.

Currently just one goal shy of becoming England's top scorer at the World Cup, Kane eyes more records ahead. He remains six goals behind the all-time World Cup top scorers Lionel Messi and Miroslav Klose.

Kane has already surpassed Wayne Rooney as England’s leading scorer overall, with 115 caps to his name and potentially more to come.

Match Highlights: England vs Croatia

England began their 2026 World Cup campaign in Dallas with a dramatic 4-2 win over Croatia. Kane's penalty opened the scoring, but Croatia quickly responded through Martin Baturina. Kane then headed home from a Declan Rice corner to give England the lead once again.

Petar Musa leveled for Croatia just before halftime. England emerged from the break strongly, with Jude Bellingham breaking through the Croatian defense to score a stunning solo goal. Marcus Rashford sealed the victory by curling a confident shot into the corner of the net.

Looking Ahead

Kane is even considered a contender for the Ballon d'Or this year, competing with stars like Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, and Lamine Yamal. Should England progress far or win the tournament, Kane’s chances will improve significantly.

Despite some concerns about the defensive line under coach Thomas Tuchel, England's attack appears potent, driven by Kane’s leadership upfront.