Harry Kane Eyes 100 England Goals as Croatia Clash Looms
Harry Kane will take another step towards a remarkable international landmark when England face Croatia this weekend, with the captain poised to win his 124th cap having moved to 87 goals for his country. His latest finish came in England’s 2-0 Nations League win over the Czech Republic, leaving him 13 short of 100 and eighth on the men’s all-time international scoring list.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Ali Daei have passed the 100-goal barrier in the men’s game. Kane, already England’s record scorer after overtaking Wayne Rooney’s 53-goal mark three years ago, has added to his total in successive matches, scoring in the 3-2 loss to Spain before finding the net again against the Czech Republic.
England manager Thomas Tuchel believes the Bayern Munich striker has the quality and consistency to join that exclusive group sooner rather than later. “He is getting closer,” Tuchel said after the Czech Republic victory. “He scored again. Thirteen goals to go.”
Asked whether Kane could complete the chase within 13 matches, Tuchel gave an emphatic answer, describing his captain as a scorer of the very highest level. The England manager is keen to make the most of Kane’s remaining peak years, while accepting there will be no straightforward successor when the 33-year-old eventually moves on.
“There will be somebody else, but not Harry and not a replica of Harry,” Tuchel said. “We will find an answer when that moment arrives, though perhaps it will not be for me to solve. It could still be another 10 years.”
Kane’s recent England return follows a prolific summer in which he scored six times at the World Cup as England finished third. His club form has been equally formidable: he struck 73 goals for Bayern Munich last season and is regarded as a serious candidate ahead of the next Ballon d’Or award.
Kane keeping focus on England
Despite the growing attention on the century mark, Kane said he is not allowing the target to dominate his thinking. He recalled how quickly time has passed since he eclipsed Rooney’s national record, an occasion that came while he was in Italy, and stressed that representing England remains the central motivation.
“I do not want to look too far forward, although it is obviously getting nearer,” Kane said. “One hundred international goals would be very special. It seems like only yesterday that I broke the record. Seasons go by fast, so I am enjoying playing with the lads and wearing the Three Lions shirt. That will not change.”
The forward also underlined that scoring remains the primary measure of his role, even when his contribution can include linking play, passing and changing the point of attack. He admitted he would have been reluctant to leave the pitch without his goal against the Czech Republic, having scored shortly before he was substituted.
Kane nevertheless felt England could have been sharper in decisive attacking moments. While satisfied with the result, he said the side must improve the quality of its last pass, through ball and delivery into the box.
“The final action has to be right and I do not think it quite was,” Kane said. “We can improve the final cross and the final ball through. But a win is a win. I have been in this team long enough to know there are nights when you simply have to get the victory and move on. This was one of those.”
