Kane breaks Rooney's record
Kane made it 2-0 from the penalty spot in the 44th minute. This was the 54th goal of the 29-year-old striker in an England shirt, surpassing the old record he shared with Wayne Rooney.
Kane scored 54 goals in 81 international matches. While playing, Rooney needed 130 international matches to score 53 goals. Legendary Bobby Charlton, who was overtaken by Kane last year, drops to third on the scoring list with 49 goals in 106 games.
Kane scored his first England goal after playing 80 seconds on his debut against Lithuania in a Euro 2016 qualifier. At that time, he came on in place of Rooney. A few days later, he and Rooney started in the 1-1 draw with Italy.
Kane became England captain ahead of the 2018 World Cup, where he was crowned top scorer with six goals. Kane equaled Rooney's record with a penalty in the 1-2 defeat to France, in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup. He had another penalty in this match, but missed.
"A great night," Kane said after the win over Italy on the evening of March 23. "It's been too long since we've won in Italy. The penalty was a magical moment. I'm so excited to be wearing the England shirt, coming back here and starting next year's Euro campaign." .
According to England manager Gareth Southgate, the fact that Kane only needs 81 games to break Rooney's record is an amazing achievement. He also praised his student's performance in the opening match of the Euro qualifiers. "I couldn't be happier for Kane and his family," Southgate said.
Immediately after the match, Rooney wrote on Twitter: "Congratulations to Harry Kane on becoming England's all-time best goalscorer. I know it won't take long, but it came quickly. One man. Great man, unbelievable striker and England legend. Congratulations Harry."
Kane responded to Rooney's congratulations by recalling the moment Rooney broke Charlton's old record. At that time, Kane was also on the field. "I remember when I gave him the shoe for breaking the record, and he said he would give it back to me one day. A special man," the Tottenham club star wrote.
Two former England strikers, Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker also sent their congratulations. According to former midfielder Steven Gerrard, Kane overcoming the obsession from a missed penalty in the defeat to France in the 2022 World Cup and setting a record with another penalty showed determination.
"Kane is one of the best penalty takers in the world," Gerrard wrote. "You're talking about greatness, one of the best number nines in the world and that's why in every transfer window he's leading the negotiations."
"It's redemption," commented former midfielder Joe Cole. "You can't help but admire and respect Kane. He now stands alone at the top of the scoring list. A great moment."
