Harry Kane, adding his name to FIFA World Cup history books on Wednesday, became the player with the most penalty goals in the tournament’s history, excluding shootouts.
The England captain reached the milestone during his Group L clash against Croatia, converting the penalty from the spot to give his team an early lead. The strike was Kane’s fifth penalty in his World Cup campaign, putting him at the top of the all-time list.
Kane’s World Cup penalty record has been made across three editions of the tournament, scoring two penalties against Panama during the 2018 group stage, adding another to his tally in England’s Round of 16 victory over Colombia, and his fourth World Cup penalty in the quarter-final against France in 2022.
The goal against Croatia led him to the top of the standings, surpassing several football legends with four penalty goals in World Cup matches, Gabriel Batistuta, Eusébio, Rob Rensenbrink and Lionel Messi.
Beyond the penalty record, Kane’s latest goal strengthened his position among England’s greatest players, taking his tally to 10 World Cup goals, drawing him level with the record for the most goals scored by an England player in the tournament’s history.
Adding another milestone to Kane’s international career further cemented his status as one of the most prolific goal scorers to represent England on football’s biggest stage.
