Harry Kane on surpassing ‘legend’ Rooney to make England goalscoring history - ‘Just a magical moment’
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Updated 24/03/2023 at 09:05 GMT
Harry Kane says becoming England’s top goalscorer “means everything” after he netted his 54th international goal for the Three Lions on Thursday during their 2-1 win over Italy. England were awarded a penalty just before half-time and Kane, who missed a spot-kick at the World Cup, slotted the ball into the right corner. The goal saw him surpass Wayne Rooney’s previous record.
Record-breaking Kane talks of 'amazing' Italy victory
Harry Kane has admitted he was full of “so much emotion” when he became England’s top goalscorer during his side’s narrow 2-1 win over Italy in their opening Euro 2024 qualifying match.
Kane netted his 54th goal for England on the stroke of half-time, from the penalty spot, bringing back memories of his missed spot kick at the World Cup in the quarter-finals against France.
This time, he fired the ball into the right corner, sending Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way to double England’s lead and surpass Wayne Rooney’s record.
“It means everything,” Kane told Channel 4. “We were so excited to put the England shirt back on and get back out here.
“It had to be a penalty of course and once it hit the back of the net, so much emotion.
“Just huge thanks to all the players, all the staff, the fans, my wife and family – everyone who helped me get to this stage, just a magical moment.
“I just do what I do. I practice, work hard. Picked my spot and put it away. Just a great night. We haven’t won in Italy for so long. To score and win this game is special.”
Rooney was quick to congratulate Kane for his achievement, describing the Tottenham Hotspur player as an “unbelievable goalscorer”.
Kane played alongside Rooney during the latter stages of the former Manchester United player’s career and recalled when he broke Bobby Charlton’s previous record of 49 goals in 2015.
“I was on the pitch when Wayne broke the record and I know what it meant to him,” said Kane. “I remember when I presented him the boot for the record, he said ‘I would be giving this back to you one day’.
“Just a special guy, a great England legend, so to hear that [his congratulations] is fantastic.”
England lost to Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 final and were playing their first game since being eliminated from the World Cup by France at the quarter-final stage.
Mateo Retegui’s 56th minute goal and a red card for Luke Shaw meant England had a nervous final part of the game.
But the Three Lions held on to beat the Italians away for the first time since 1961 and Kane was delighted with their performance.
"The World Cup was a difficult way to end and it was tough to finish that way,” he added. "We spoke this week, getting back to it. We are one of the best teams in Europe, we have to keep just knocking on the door.
"To put in a performance like that today shows we are just ready for the next challenge. We have a difficult campaign ahead but hopefully we can get ready for next year."
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