Kane’s journey to the top

By Lewis Hartnell · Senior Football Correspondent · 02.07.2026

By Lewis Hartnell — 2 July 2026 — 3 min read

Kane’s journey to the top

Harry Kane has become England’s all-time leading men’s World Cup scorer, surpassing Gary Lineker. This achievement follows his 11th World Cup goal, scored against Panama, and marks a significant milestone in a career that began with an early rejection from Arsenal. Kane was released from the Arsenal academy at the age of eight, with coaches reportedly questioning his physique and athleticism at the time.

After leaving Arsenal, Kane joined the Spurs academy. His path to the first team included loan spells at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City, and Leicester City. Despite initial doubts about his potential, Kane developed his game through movement, timing, finishing, and a strong desire for improvement. This dedication eventually led him to become Tottenham’s record scorer and a prominent forward for Bayern Munich.

His goal against Panama not only secured his place as England’s top World Cup scorer but also increased his international goal tally to 82. This achievement places him alongside David Beckham as one of only two England players to score in three different World Cups. Kane expressed his appreciation for these moments, stating that he never takes them for granted and hopes for more milestones in the tournament.

England’s World Cup campaign continues

England faced DR Congo in a subsequent match, where Harry Kane played a crucial role in securing a victory. DR Congo initially took the lead with an early goal from Brian Cipenga, threatening a significant upset. However, Kane scored a late equaliser and then a decisive goal from a tight angle, ensuring England’s progression.

Following their win against Panama, Kane had encouraged his teammates to appreciate their achievements in the World Cup group stage before entering the knockout rounds. He emphasised the hard work put into the group stage and the challenge of navigating a tough group, which England successfully topped.

The team’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, made several changes for the final group-stage game against Panama, including starting Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka on the wings. Rashford’s inclusion marked only the third time since the start of 2020 that he had played a full 90 minutes for England. Despite some lapses in concentration, his pace and long-range shots contributed to an impactful performance.

Looking ahead to the knockout stages

England’s victory against Panama allowed them to win Group L with seven points. This outcome avoided a longer trip in the last 32 and a potential match against Spain in the last 16. While England secured their position, some observations noted that the team had to work hard to break down Panama, similar to their previous game against Ghana, where they struggled to create opportunities against a resilient defence.

The team acknowledges the increasing pressure and momentum in the knockout stages. Noni Madueke, an England winger, highlighted the team’s serious approach to all phases of play, including penalty shootouts, which become more prominent in knockout football. England will next play co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca for a place in the quarter-finals.

Kane continues to set records. His continued strong performance suggests he is not slowing down as he progresses in his career.

Source: en.as.com

Lewis Hartnell

Senior Football Correspondent

As News GB's Senior Football Correspondent, Lewis Hartnell reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on south-coast football for a regional title. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Solent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Lewis lives in Southampton, where he watches youth football and follows the transfer market. “The week's training ground decides the weekend's headlines.”