Harry Kane becomes England’s all-time top scorer; Overtakes Wayne Rooney in Italy clash
Harry Kane the England Captain became his country’s all-time leading goal scorer when he scored for his nation from the penalty spot in what proved to be a decisive winner for England.
Prior to their clash with the Azzurri at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, the Tottenham Hotspurs striker found himself on 53 goals for his country behind Wayne Rooney.
Harry Kane becomes most goals scorer for England
In a rematch of the final of the last Euro Finals won on penalties by Italy, England was vastly superior in the first half and went into the break with a 2-0 lead courtesy of Declan rice and Kane’s record-breaking strike from the penalty spot.
But Italy fought back in the second half and halved their deficit in the 56th minute when Argentina-born Mateo Retegui scored on his Azzurri debut following a giveaway by Harry Maguire.
The complexion of the game shifted further with 10 minutes remaining when Luke Shaw was sent off for a second yellow card to leave England to defend the final minutes with 10 men. Gareth Southgate’s side, though, did enough to hold on and get their first away win against Italy since 1961.
Although there will be a concern at how England lost their way in the second half, it proved the perfect response after the heartache of losing to France in the World Cup quarter-finals in December when Kane missed a crucial penalty.
It was the first time Naples had hosted the Azzurri for a decade but it all went flat for Roberto Mancini’s team as they were outplayed in the first half. Young midfielder Jude Bellingham ran the show in the early stages for England and he forced a superb save from Donnarumma when he let fly with a ferocious shot from distance.
Harry Kane’s comments after the game
“I just want to say that this has been a really special night for me personally and a really special night for the team,” Kane said. “It’s the first time that England has won in Italy for a long, long time and to be part of that is amazing.
“I want to also say a big thank you to my teammates, to the staff, the fans, my family back home, and my wife. It’s a really special night and one that I’ll never forget and I’m just so proud. And to everyone in here, thank you to everyone who has made this dream come alive.”
Rooney, whose goals came in 120 games compared with the 81 it has taken Kane to move ahead of him, was quick to congratulate his former international teammate said “I knew it wouldn’t take long but that was quick. Great man, an unbelievable goalscorer, and an England legend. Congrats Harry!” Rooney said on Twitter.
