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Harry Kane missed “many more” goals for England after becoming his country’s top scorer.
Kane’s record-breaking 54th England goal helped Gareth Southgate’s side secure a 2-1 European Championship qualifying victory over Italy on Thursday, and afterwards the captain said he was in the best form of his career.
It’s been 103 days since the 29-year-old equaled Wayne Rooney’s record by scoring a penalty against France, but that night is best remembered for his second spot-kick miss in the quarter-finals.
Kane bounced back from his disappointment in historic fashion in Naples, scoring from the spot to move to the top of the national team’s scoring charts with 54 goals ahead of Rooney.
Speaking after the record-breaking night, Kane said: “I don’t like to look too far into the future but I’m 29, I feel fit and strong – the best I’ve felt in my career. I’ve got a lot of years left.
“Playing for England is probably the best feeling in football. I want to do this as long as I can and as a striker I want to score in every game.
“I hope there will be many more.”
England record Kane…
Kane: This should be a punishment!
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Harry Kane became England’s all-time leading goalscorer with his 54th goal for the national team to beat Gareth Southgate’s side 2-0 against Italy.
The new record holder admitted many emotions came out after the important penalty in Naples.
“Yes that means everything,” he said Channel 4. “We’re really excited to put the England shirt on and come back here and start our campaign for next year’s Euros.
“It’s a penalty, of course, and when it hits the back of the net, it’s very emotional.
“Thank you to all the players, the staff, the fans, my wife, my family at home and everyone who has helped me get to this stage. It’s just a magical moment.
“Thank you, I got rid of it and it was just a good night. We haven’t won in Italy for a long time. To score and win the game is special.
He added: “The World Cup is obviously a tough way to end it. It’s tough to end it that way.
“We are talking about coming back. We feel we are one of the best teams in Europe and we have to keep knocking.
“We are close but to come here and put in a performance like today shows that we are ready for the next challenge.”
Kane praised Southgate
Kane was handed his England debut in 2015 by Roy Hodgson, coming on as a second-half substitute for Rooney, and took just 80 seconds to score his first international goal.
He was handed the England captaincy by Gareth Southgate, who Kane praised for playing a “huge part” in his journey to becoming his country’s most prolific international player.
When asked what Southgate said immediately after the match, Kane said: “He said he was very proud and I deserved it.
“Many thanks to Gareth. My England journey started with Roy [Hodgson] but Gareth has played a huge role.
“We’ve had some really good moments and we’ve grown as a team. We haven’t got what we wanted, but tonight was a big statement after the World Cup and for a big spell in the game, we played well.
“It shows the type of team we want.”
Southgate: Kane being England’s top goalscorer shows his mentality
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England manager Gareth Southgate was full of praise for Harry Kane after he became England’s top goalscorer.
England boss Southgate praised Kane for his quality, mentality and professionalism after becoming England’s top goalscorer.
“His overall performance was outstanding – he dominated the centre-backs,” Southgate said. “You could see from the beginning that he was there.
“To break the record the way he did shows his strength of character and mentality. I couldn’t be happier for him and his family – he’s a great guy. He’s a great professional.
“To break the record with so many career goals is an incredible achievement. The players gave us a great reception afterwards, in response to breaking the record and what we need to restore.
“I can’t remember what he said, but I’m pretty sure it was on video because it was all recorded today and nobody stayed home. get it.”
Mancini praised ‘complete’ striker Kane
As for Italy, manager Roberto Mancini praised “complete striker” Kane for his goal on a frustrating night for his side in Naples.
“We knew it was going to be a tough match, then we got two goals from two sets,” said the former Manchester City boss. “We have to be more careful.
“We dominated the second half and probably deserved a draw. We are disappointed with the result but there is still a long way to go.
“In the second half, we can press better, higher and I see a good team again: this gives me hope.
“England are always dangerous from set pieces but we shouldn’t have conceded those two goals. We can still roll up our sleeves and play better.
“The road is a bit uphill now, but it can be done more smoothly.”
On Kane, he added: “I want to congratulate him on his achievements. He is a very good striker who can do a lot. He scores goals, he gets the team playing, he is good in the air, he scores penalties. He is a complete striker. I hope he keep scoring a lot of goals.”
Pictured: Kane breaks England’s scoring record
Harry Kane scores a record goal…
…and celebrate their achievements…
… before being congratulated by his friends
The reaction to Kane’s record-breaking goal
England Group C fixtures…
England will play home and away against Italy, Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta in Group C. After this evening, the fixture list is as follows:
- 26 Mar 2023 – England v Ukraine
- 16 June 2023 – Malta vs England
- 19 Jun 2023 – England v North Macedonia
- 9 Sep 2023 – Ukraine vs England
- 17 Oct 2023 – England v Italy
- 17 Nov 2023 – England v Malta
- 20 Nov 2023 – North Macedonia vs England
What’s next?
England host Ukraine in the next European Championship Qualifier at Wembley on Sunday; kick-off at 5 pm.
Italy away to Malta at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium on the same day in Group C; kick-off 7.45pm.
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