England captain Harry Kane did not score a goal en route to topping Group B at the World Cup. But how does the striker’s record compare to Three Lions icons like Wayne Rooney?
Gareth Southgate has taken Kane to a second World Cup with a leading role at Qatar 2022 after Russia 2018. His efforts during the first and second rounds four years ago, however, saw the 29-year-old win the Golden Boot. Kane scored six goals but none after the last 16.
Two goals against Tunisia and a hat-trick against Panama saw Kane fire England through to the knockout stages in Russia. His penalty then put the Three Lions in front in the Round of 16 against Colombia before the tie went to a shoot-out. Kane converted their first attempt.
England’s Kane won the 2018 World Cup Golden Boot but is without a goal in Qatar
Of Kane’s Golden Boot-winning six goals at Russia 2018, three were penalties while his hat-trick-clinching strike deflected in. His first of the tournament against Tunisia was also a tap-in. The 78-cap forward then failed to score in the quarter, semi-final or third-place play-off.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar started in prolific fashion for England as they thrashed Iran 6-2 without Kane scoring. He did, however, lay on two assists after delivering an inviting ball for Raheem Sterling to net. The 51-goal Three Lions skipper also assisted Marcus Rashford.
Kane has since laid on one further assist after playing a blind cross into the box in the hope a teammate ran in to score against Wales. Phil Foden was the willing attacker and met the Tottenham forward’s ball played into a dangerous area to punish Cymru in a 3-0 meeting.
Southgate took Kane off six minutes after assisting Foden to rest the London native for the Three Lions’ Round of 16 tie with Senegal. But the England boss had allowed Kane to reach 223 minutes without a goal in Qatar. He also picked up an ankle injury in their tie with Iran.
Kane has only taken seven touches in an opponent’s box at the 2022 World Cup
While the injury did not stop Kane starting against the USA, he clearly struggled for fitness despite playing 90 minutes. The Tottenham striker also rarely got into the box – as was the case against Iran and Wales. An aspect that Southgate will have to monitor going forward.
In England’s 6-2 win over Iran to kick off their World Cup, WhoScored noted Kane took just three touches in Team Melli’s box. WhoScored also noted just three touches in the penalty area against the USA. He actually took just as many in Jordan Pickford’s area as the USA’s.
Southgate taking Kane off against Wales limited his chances but WhoScored still registered the 6 ft 2 ace as taking one touch in the box. He also took all three of his touches in Iran’s area inside the first half. His touches in the USA’s box came after nine, 73 and 92 minutes.
It could be a simple fix to get Kane taking touches in an opponent’s area and scoring at the World Cup for England again. He endlessly dropped deep through their three Group B ties. But in doing so, he was not where the Three Lions needed Kane to be to fire the ball home.
Southgate will hope getting Kane in the box more often sees the forward fire England to a win over Senegal. So, before their Round of 16 game on Sunday, HITC Football has looked at how some of England’s iconic strikers fared at past World Cups in comparison to Kane…
Rooney led the England attack at three World Cups before Kane took over in 2018
Rooney led the England attack at three World Cups before Kane took up the role ahead of Russia 2018. The forward made his debut at the quadrennial tournament during Germany 2006. He went on to be their main striker at South Africa 2010 and again for Brazil 2014.
But while Rooney amassed 11 appearances on the FIFA stage, he only offered one goal. He also only recorded one assist over 790 minutes of cumulative action. The 120-cap icon got his maiden World Cup goal at Brazil 2014. He found the net in their 2-1 defeat to Uruguay.
Rooney’s goal drew England level in the 75th minute after Luis Suarez broke the deadlock for Uruguay. But Joe Hart could not keep out Suarez for a second time in the 85th minute. The defeat meant England crashed out of the tournament under Roy Hodgson in Group D.
A first World Cup assist against Italy also failed to see England take a win in Brazil. Rooney found Daniel Sturridge with a cross to pull the Three Lions level in the 37th minute. Yet it would be a blip for the Azzurri as Mario Balotelli restored the lead Claudio Marchisio built.
England’s best finish at a World Cup with Rooney leading their line came at Germany 2006 with a quarter-final run. They also only just reached the Round of 16 at South Africa 2010. Fabio Capello needed a 1-0 win over Slovenia to finish second behind the USA in Group C.
Owen lit the global stage alight on his debut at France 1998 at just 18 years old
Michael Owen lit the global stage alight on his World Cup debut aged just 18 during France 1998. The tournament was the first of three that the forward would play at. He also turned out in Japan and South Korea in 2002 and during their first three fixtures at Germany 2006.
Sven-Goran Eriksson dropped Owen to the bench in Germany after failing to score in their first two games. He then watched from the dugout against Ecuador in the Round of 16 and Portugal in the quarter-final. The attacker failed to rediscover the magic he once provided.
His impact was almost instant in France in 1998 as Glenn Hoddle gave Owen his chance as a teenager. A five-minute cameo against Tunisia was not long enough for the Chester-born gem to make a difference. But he only needed seven to fire his first goal against Romania.
Owen was alert in the box to turn Paul Scholes’ cross home and draw level at 1-1, although Romania would win 2-1. His goal convinced Hoddle to start Owen against Colombia and in the last 16 with Argentina. And a goal against La Albiceleste revealed Owen to the world.
Despite being just 18, Owen flicked David Beckham’s pass goal-bound before shrugging off Jose Chamot, running around Roberto Ayala and firing over Carlos Roa. His form in France saw Owen win the Best Young Player award – only one of three teenagers to lift the gong.
Owen would back up his efforts in France with two goals and an assist in Japan and South Korea. His haul in 2002 included goals in the last 16 against Denmark and the quarter-final against Brazil. So, Owen ended an 89-cap career with four goals over 12 World Cup games.
Heskey headed the Three Lions’ frontline at the 2002 and 2010 tournaments
Emile Heskey led the Three Lions’ frontline with Owen in 2002 and beside Rooney during 2010 under Eriksson and Capello. Eriksson elected against taking the 62-cap attacker with England to Germany in 2006. Even though Heskey provided a goal and one assist in 2002.
Rio Ferdinand and Owen fired England into a 2-0 lead over Denmark before Heskey hit in the 44th minute in the Round of 16 in 2002. It would prove to be the Leicester-born star’s only goal at a World Cup. He also assisted Owen against Brazil but England lost the tie 2-1.
It was a more immediate impact for Heskey in South Africa as the forward assisted Steven Gerrard after four minutes. The midfielder broke the deadlock against the USA in the early stages to kick off their Group C efforts. But Rob Green’s error let Clint Dempsey equalise.
Capello started Heskey again against Algeria but they would not help England avoid a 0-0 draw. The stalemate proved enough for Capello to bench Heskey. But he featured for four minutes against Slovenia and the final 19 minutes of their 4-1 last 16 defeat to Germany.
Heskey’s World Cup record, then, sat at one goal and two assists across nine appearances for 547 minutes. He also failed to score or provide an assist over three Euros appearances.
Shearer captained England at France 1998 during his only World Cup appearance
Alan Shearer only ever featured at one World Cup across his 63-cap England career. Yet he captained the Three Lions at France 1998 after holding the armband from 1996 to 2000. It moved to Beckham in 2000 after Shearer played his final Three Lions match at Euro 2000.
Graham Taylor gave Shearer his debut in 1992 but the Three Lions failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup. The forward then sought to make amends in France under Hoddle and hit the opening effort in their first Group G encounter. Scholes also scored to beat Tunisia 2-0.
Shearer added his second – and last – goal at a World Cup when England faced Argentina in the Round of 16. But despite his and Owen’s best efforts, the tie went to penalties and La Albiceleste won 5-4. Beckham’s second-half red card did not help England’s endeavours.
The tournament records of England’s recent World Cup strikers compared to Kane
Kane: World Cups (2) – Appearances (9) – Goals (6) – Assists (3) – Minutes (796)
Rooney: World Cups (3) – Appearances (11) – Goals (1) – Assists (1) – Minutes (790)
Owen: World Cup (3) – Appearances (12) – Goals (4) – Assists (2) – Minutes (756)
Heskey: World Cup (2) – Appearances (9) – Goals (1) – Assists (2) – Minutes (547)
Shearer: World Cups (1) – Appearances (4) – Goals (2) – Assists (0) – Minutes (390)
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