Harry Kane is setting his sights on matching the legendary Pele's record.
England will face the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup on July 2 at 1 a.m. KST at the Atlanta Stadium in the United States.
For Kane, this match presents an opportunity to extend his legacy in the world of football. After scoring against Panama, he has netted 82 goals in 117 international matches. A single goal in the upcoming match would see him equal Pele's tally.
In this World Cup, Kane has already surpassed Gary Lineker's record. He scored his 11th World Cup goal with a header assisted by Jude Bellingham against Panama, marking the moment Lineker's long-standing record of 10 goals was surpassed after 36 years.
Kane's achievements now extend beyond England. He is currently tied for eighth place in the all-time World Cup scoring list with Jurgen Klinsmann of Germany and Sandor Kocsis of Hungary. Just ahead of him is Pele, who scored 12 World Cup goals.
However, there remains a significant gap in Kane's record: a major tournament victory with the national team. Despite being England's all-time leading scorer, he has yet to lead the team to the pinnacle of international football. England has consistently been viewed as a contender, with Kane at the forefront, but the final chapter has yet to be written.
The match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo represents another pivotal moment for Kane. If England wins, they will face host nation Mexico in the Round of 16. Mexico recently defeated Ecuador 2-0, marking their first World Cup knockout stage victory in 40 years since 1986, adding to the pressure for the favored England side.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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