Kansas City (AFP) – Harry Kane is England's talisman, record goalscorer and often their saviour. Is he also their only hope at the World Cup?
Issued on: 02/07/2026 - 00:28
3 min Reading time
The captain came up with the goods yet again against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday, scoring twice in 11 minutes as Thomas Tuchel's men recovered from a shocking start to win 2-1. The Bayern Munich star headed a superb equaliser from Anthony Gordon's cross in the 75th minute and thumped home the winner with four minutes remaining. Kane now has five goals at the 2026 World Cup, one behind Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe and level with Erling Haaland in a captivating race for the Golden Boot.His 12th and 13th World Cup goals in the round of 32 moved him ahead of Pele's dozen, up to sixth on the all-time list, level with France forward Just Fontaine and six behind Messi.A relieved Tuchel described Kane as being one of the "sharks" at the World Cup, alongside the other A-list forwards."They are all sharks," he said. "If they smell blood, they come and score.""It's crazy," the German added. "So, so good. He's our captain, he's our leader, and decides football matches with unbelievable finishes."Kane, who has few equals as a finisher, has a remarkable 72 goals for club and country this season in just 62 appearances.Midfielder Declan Rice told the BBC that his skipper was posting "ridiculous numbers"."He is a proper leader, a captain, trains every day and gets on with everyone in the group," he said."When you have someone who can win a game for you like that... That second goal, he just reverse whips it into the top corner, and it was ridiculous to see. What a player. We're very lucky to have him."'Hero moment'Kane himself said it was his day for "hero moments" as England now look forward to a last-16 match against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium.But the question for Tuchel is: who else can don a cape and come to England's rescue when they need it?
