It's possible for Kane to become England's greatest-ever goalscorer during this international break
(Image credit: Nick Potts)
The last time England played, they won 10-0 and Harry Kane scored four times. If a player did that every match, it would take them 26 games to break the all-time goal record.
Kane's taken a little longer, however, but still reached 48 goals in just 67 games. His haul against San Marino moved him up to joint third place on the Three Lions’ list, just five off the top. The Tottenham striker has scored nearly three goals every four games, as he continues to chase Wayne Rooney’s all-time record of 53 for the men’s national team.
But how does he compare to the leading group?
1. Wayne Rooney – 53 goals in 120 caps, 2003-2018
Wayne Rooney, left, celebrates with Harry Kane (Mike Egerton/PA)
Also England’s most-capped outfield player, Rooney only scored once at a World Cup finals tournament – against Uruguay in 2014 – but his six European Championship goals leave him fourth among England scorers at major tournaments behind Kane, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.
2. Sir Bobby Charlton – 49 goals in 106 caps, 1958-1970
Sir Bobby Charlton, second right, scored 49 goals for England (PA)
The 1966 World Cup winner scored on his debut in 1958, just two months after surviving the Munich air disaster which killed eight of his Manchester United team-mates. He broke Sir Tom Finney and Nat Lofthouse’s previous record of 30 by 1963 and scored twice in the 1966 semi-final, finishing one short of a half-century. He eventually saw his United and England records both overhauled by Rooney.
Just 28, Kane has time on his side to continue climbing the ranks. After wrapping up his fifth hat-trick on Monday – the most significant coming against Panama at the 2018 World Cup where he won the Golden Boot – he got another one to make sure of his first four-goal haul for his country.
4. Gary Lineker – 48 goals in 80 caps, 1984-1992
Hello @HKane, welcome to the 48 goal club. I suspect your membership will expire within minutes, but it’s been a pleasure to have you alongside. 👏🏻👏🏻— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) November 15, 2021
The 1986 World Cup Golden Boot winner scored 10 major-tournament goals for England – a record since matched by Kane – and managed five international hat-tricks including four-goal hauls against both Spain in 1987 and Malaysia in 1991. A missed penalty against Brazil in 1992 would have equalled the record then held by Charlton.
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5. Jimmy Greaves – 44 goals in 57 caps, 1959-67
Jimmy Greaves in action for England (PA)
Greaves’ average of three goals every four games (0.77 goals per match) is comfortably the highest on this list and he was part of the World Cup-winning squad, but missed the final stages through injury. Kane could also have his status as Tottenham’s record scorer in his sights should he stay with the club long enough.
6. Michael Owen – 40 goals in 89 caps, 1998-2008
Rapidly falling out of love with watching international football barring the big tournaments. I think a lot of people feel the same way. Half of these games are absolutely pointless. A restructure is needed.— michael owen (@themichaelowen) November 15, 2021
Level with Kane until November last year – before the Three Lions skippered managed eight in one international break – Owen scored at four separate major tournaments – most memorably as a teenager at the 1998 World Cup when his solo goal against Argentina marked his emergence on the world stage.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
