England captain Harry Kane has revealed that the early scoring prowess of rivals Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland provided the impetus for his strong start at the current World Cup. Kane netted a crucial brace in England's opening 4-2 victory against Croatia on Wednesday, a performance he attributes in part to the competitive spirit ignited by his fellow top strikers.
Mbappe, who scored twice in France's 3-1 win over Senegal, and Haaland, also with a brace in Norway's 4-1 thrashing of Iraq, have set a high bar in the tournament. Kane, who previously won the Golden Boot in 2018, is aiming to become the first player in history to claim the award twice. He acknowledged that while he tries not to focus excessively on others, the desire to compete at the highest level is a natural instinct for an athlete.
Speaking after the match, Kane explained, "Obviously I saw the guys scoring their goals. I don’t like to concentrate on other people, but it is natural as a sportsman and athlete to want to reach the highest level. Those guys started in a great way. As a striker myself, I just want to get on the scoresheet as quickly as possible. In the back of my mind that competition helps me to push my levels. That is what the World Cup is for, to push myself at the highest level, so it is nice to get a couple.”
Kane's two goals in Dallas saw him draw level with England legend Gary Lineker, both now holding the record for the most World Cup goals for England with 10. This milestone comes on the back of an exceptional season for Bayern Munich, where the striker scored an astounding 61 goals in 51 appearances. He expressed his satisfaction with reaching double figures in World Cup goals, noting that he feels physically fit and at the "peak of his powers" at a crucial time.
The England captain added, “It’s a great milestone to reach, to get 10 goals at a World Cup. Gary had some amazing tournaments and to be on that number now is really enjoyable. To reach double figures at this amazing tournament is very special. Physically, I am feeling good. The goals I have scored this year are the most I have ever had in my career, I feel I am at the peak of my powers at the right time. There is a long way to go, a lot of tough games ahead, but for me personally I enjoy being out there on the pitch when I am feeling in this form.”
England currently sit atop their World Cup group following the convincing win, a result that provides a strong foundation for their campaign. The team will be looking to build on this momentum as they progress through the tournament, with Kane's form being a key factor in their aspirations.