Gary Lineker has labelled Harry Kane the greatest English striker of all time after the England captain equalled his record of 10 World Cup goals in a 4-2 win over Croatia.
Kane, 32, struck twice in the Group L opener in Dallas, taking his international tally to 81 goals in 115 appearances. The Bayern Munich star is already England's all-time leading marksman, but drawing level with Lineker's World Cup haul has cemented his legacy among the finest to ever lead the line for the Three Lions.
"Welcome to the double-figures club. It's great. I mean, it may have taken him a World Cup more," Lineker joked on The Rest is Football podcast. "In all seriousness, Harry Kane is, I think, the greatest English striker we've ever had. I genuinely think that now."
Kane's World Cup Journey
Lineker's record of 10 goals came across the 1986 and 1990 tournaments, while Kane is competing in his third World Cup after featuring in Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. The 32-year-old opened the scoring against Croatia with a retaken penalty before restoring England's lead with a powerful header just before half-time.
Kane's double came on a day when global stars also shone: Lionel Messi hit a hat-trick for Argentina, Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace for France, and Erling Haaland scored twice for Norway.
Lineker's co-host and fellow England great Alan Shearer backed Kane to surpass the record sooner rather than later. "Harry Kane has seen Messi, Mbappe and Haaland all come on straight away and get the goals. It's only a matter of time before he breaks your record," Shearer said.
What Sets Kane Apart
Lineker reserved special praise for Kane's all-round contribution. "His all-round game is, for me, what separates him from all the others," the former Barcelona striker explained. Unlike many out-and-out goal-scorers, Kane's ability to drop deep, link play, and create chances for teammates adds a dimension that few English forwards have possessed.
Former England team-mate Harry Maguire, overlooked for Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad, echoed the sentiment, describing Kane as not just England's best player but "one of the best players in the world". "On the pitch, he's unbelievable, but, off the pitch, he's a massive leader," Maguire added.
What's Next for England
England face Ghana in their second group game on 23 June at 21:00 BST. With Kane in this form, Tuchel's side will be confident of securing an early place in the knockout stages. Victory over Croatia has laid down a marker, but tougher tests await in a competitive Group L.
Key Takeaways
- Harry Kane equalled Gary Lineker's England record of 10 World Cup goals with a brace against Croatia.
- Lineker believes Kane is now the greatest English striker in history.
- Kane's all-round game and leadership were highlighted as key differentiators.
- England next face Ghana on 23 June as they aim to build on a winning start to the tournament.
Quick Facts
Player: Harry Kane
World Cup goals: 10 (equalled Lineker's record)
England goals: 81 (national record)
Next match: England vs Ghana, 23 June, 21:00 BST
