Harry Kane has equalled German legend Gerd Müller’s World Cup goalscoring record after netting in England’s 3-2 round of 16 victory over Mexico. The strike was Kane’s sixth of the tournament and lifted his overall World Cup tally to 14, moving him past French great Just Fontaine into a share of fifth place on the all-time list.
The 32-year-old’s latest goal proved decisive as the Three Lions secured their place in the quarter-finals. Kane has now scored 85 goals in 119 appearances for England, reinforcing his status as the country’s record marksman and underlining his reputation as one of the most reliable finishers in international football history. His current tournament tally of six goals demonstrates his enduring threat at the highest level and his capacity to deliver when it matters most on the global stage. His six goals in this tournament alone place him among the leading contenders for the Golden Boot.
Scaling the scoring charts
Kane’s 14 World Cup goals place him alongside Müller in the competition’s scoring hierarchy. The England captain sits just one goal behind Brazilian icon Ronaldo, who has 15, while further ahead lie Germany’s Miroslav Klose on 16. France’s Kylian Mbappé occupies second place with 19 goals, with record-holder Lionel Messi leading the all-time list with 20 goals.
The achievement is particularly notable given that Fontaine set his record in a single tournament in 1958, while Müller established his benchmark across multiple World Cups during Germany’s successful campaigns. Kane has now matched these illustrious names while leading England deep into the knockout stages, cementing his legacy among the sport’s most lethal marksmen and most consistent performers.
With at least one more match guaranteed, Kane has the opportunity to climb further up the rankings before the tournament concludes. Each additional goal would see him overtake another legend of the game and strengthen his claim to being among the greatest tournament strikers of all time.
Norway challenge looms
England will face Norway in the quarter-finals on Saturday. Kane will have the chance to surpass Müller and close the gap on Ronaldo when the sides meet. The striker’s current form suggests he could yet challenge for the Golden Boot while rewriting England’s World Cup history books. A deep run in the tournament could see him challenge even the highest totals on the all-time chart, potentially setting a new benchmark for future generations of English strikers.