Kane passes Rooney as England's record top scorer

Where Harry Kane ranks among England’s all-time scorers without penalties

FOOTBALL Kane passes Rooney as England's record top scorer

Shafic Kiyaga • 04:40 - 24.03.2023

Kane scored the historic goal from the penalty spot right before half-time after VAR awarded a penalty for handball to England against Leonardo Spinazzola.

In a thrilling European Championship qualifier against Italy on Thursday, striker Harry Kane surpassed Wayne Rooney to become England's all-time leading scorer with 54 goals for his country.

Kane scored the historic goal from the penalty spot right before half-time after VAR awarded a penalty for handball to England against Leonardo Spinazzola.

The Tottenham striker's goal put England up 2-0 over Italy at the break as Gareth Southgate's team went on to hang on for a 2-1 win.

Reflecting on his achievement, Kane said, "I just want to say that this has been a really special night for me personally and a really special night for the team.”

"Playing for England is probably my greatest feeling in football, and I want to do it for as long as possible.”

“As a striker, I want to score in every game. But now it's time to get ready for Sunday because we have to make sure we win that now and make sure it's a really good camp. Hopefully many more [goals],” he added.

England's win against Italy on Thursday was their first away victory against the Italians since 1961, marking an exceptional achievement for the national team.

Harry Kane
Harry Kane scored a penalty in the first half against Italy to become England's record scorer | Photo Credit: Courtesy

The Three Lions will next host Ukraine at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

“It's the first time that England have won in Italy for a long, long time, and to be part of that is amazing. I want to also say a big thank you to my teammates, to the staff, the fans,” Kane stated.

“It's a really special night, and one that I'll never forget, and I'm just so proud. And to everyone in here, thank you to everyone who has made this dream come alive.”

Rooney, the previous record holder with 53 goals in 120 appearances spanning 15 years, took to Twitter to congratulate Kane, saying, "Congratulations to Harry Kane on becoming England's all-time leading goal scorer.”

“I knew it wouldn't take long, but that was quick. Great man, unbelievable goal scorer, and an England legend. Congrats Harry!"

Kane made his England debut in March 2015 at the age of 21 and has since achieved remarkable feats for the national team.

Gareth Southgate, who took over as England boss the following year, made Kane the side's captain for the 2018 World Cup and subsequent European Championship, where he led his country to semifinal and final appearances, respectively.

Harry Kane
Harry Kane celebrated his record with his England team-mates after the game | Photo Credit: Getty Images

He also won the Golden Boot award as top scorer with six goals at his debut World Cup in 2018.

His record haul includes six at the World Cup in Russia in 2018, made him only the third Englishman to win a Golden Boot at a major tournament, along with Gary Lineker at the 1986 World Cup and Alan Shearer at the European Championship in 1996.

Kane's exceptional form in 2021 saw him become the first player to score 13 goals in a calendar year for England, twice scoring first-half hat tricks against San Marino and Albania.

The forward again captained England at the World Cup in Qatar, where he scored twice - the first coming in a group-stage win over Senegal and the other to level the scores in the quarterfinals against France.

Kane's record-breaking strike comes just weeks after becoming Spurs' all-time leading scorer when he netted his 267th goal for the club in a win over Manchester City last month.

Kane is now the record goal scorer for both England and club side Tottenham, having achieved the record for the Three Lions at a sensational rate, his 54 goals coming in just 81 appearances.

He now leads a group of six Englishmen to have scored more than 40 international goals. Of those, only Jimmy Greaves his at a faster rate - one every 1.3 games, compared with Kane's 1.5.

Sir Bobby Charlton, with 49 goals, held the record for 45 years until he was surpassed by Rooney eight years ago.

Related content