Harry Kane broke Wayne Rooney’s scoring record for England on Thursday with a goal in a European Championship 2024 qualifier against Italy.
The score brought the 29-year-old striker’s goal total to 54.The goal came in the 44th minute on a penalty kick to take a 2-0 lead over the team that defeated the Three Lions in dramatic fashion to take home the 2020 title.
“I was so excited to put the English back on and get back out here and get the campaign started for the Euros next year,” Kane said.
“It had to be a penalty, of course. Once it hit the back of the net, so much emotion.”
Kane earned the scoring title faster than the former Manchester United star and current DC United coach.
It took him 81 games after debuting for England in March of 2015 at 21 years old. Rooney became the all-time leading scorer with his 50th goal in September of 2018 in his 107th cap with Kane as his teammate. He scored his last goal with a penalty kick in his 120th appearance during England’s 2016 Euro loss to Iceland.
“Congratulations to @HKane on becoming @England’s all-time leading goalscorer,” Rooney said in a Twitter post.
“I knew it wouldn’t take long but that was quick. Great man, unbelievable goal scorer and an England legend. Congrats Harry.”
