Harry Kane pips Lionel Messi to World Cup history after England penalty drama

Harry Kane has created history by becoming the first player to score five World Cup penalties.

And he then equalled Gary Lineker’s England record with his tenth goal in the global tournament.

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The 32-year-old broke the deadlock in the 12th minute in England’s Group L opener against Croatia.

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Luka Modric was penalised for a foul on Noni Madueke.

Pencroachment

Up stepped Three Lions skipper Kane, who had his penalty saved by Dominik Livakovic.

But referee Clement Turpin immediately ordered a retake after Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol was adjudged to have encroached, while Livakovic was also off his line before the ball was kicked.

Kane once again looked for the bottom right corner, and thankfully for the Bayern Munich maestro, this time Livakovic dived the wrong way.

In find the back of the net at the second time of asking, Kane has pipped Lionel Messi to score five penalties in football’s biggest tournament [excluding shootouts], with the Argentina international currently on four converted spot-kicks.

The duo had also been level with retired stars Rob Rensenbrink [Netherlands], Gabriel Batistuta [Argentina] and Eusebio [Portugal].

Kane’s first from the spot came in Russia eight years ago in a 6-1 victory over Panama – adding a second penalty later in the same game.

He then smashed home in England’s last-16 clash against Colombia, which the Three Lions won in a dramatic shootout.

And at the 2022 World Cup, Kane tucked home another penalty in a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to France.

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Kane was given a second opportunity in the match from 12 yards, but blazed over his attempt as England crashed out.

The former Leyton Orient loan star has also become just the second England player to score at three World Cups.

David Beckham became the first man to achieve the feat – doing so in 1998, 2002 and 2006.

England’s clash against Croatia is a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final, which saw the latter fight back from 1-0 down to win 2-1.

And just like in that match, Thomas Tuchel‘s men failed to hold onto their lead, as Croatia equalised in the 38th minute through Como’s Martin Baturina.

A loose pass from Jude Bellingham was eventually worked to the 23-year-old on the edge of the box, who rifled home past Jordan Pickford.

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But not one to stay quiet, Kane then headed England back into the lead as he got on the end of Declan Rice‘s outswinging corner to guide his effort into the bottom left corner.

In doing so, he now boasts ten goals in 12 World Cup appearances since his tournament debut in 2018.

He needs just one more goal to become England’s leading scorer at the World Cup after Lineker fired in ten times across the 1986 and 1990 editions.

The drama wasn’t done there, as on the stroke of half-time, Croatia levelled up for the second half through Petar Musa’s close-range volley.