Kane equals Rooney; Pickford sets World Cup record
England captain Harry Kane has become the joint-most capped outfield player in the nation's history, earning his 120th cap in the Three Lions' dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals. The Bayern Munich striker now shares the record with Wayne Rooney, who retired from international football in 2018.
Should Kane feature in the semi-final clash against Argentina on July 15, he will surpass Rooney and move to within four caps of equalling goalkeeper Peter Shilton's all-time England record of 125 appearances. Kane's achievement comes as part of a memorable quarter-final night in Miami that also saw Jordan Pickford break Shilton's record for the most World Cup appearances by an England men's player.
Pickford, named in the starting XI by head coach Thomas Tuchel, made his 18th World Cup appearance, overtaking Shilton's previous mark of 17. Kane also equalled Shilton's tally of 17 World Cup games by starting the match. The Everton goalkeeper has been a cornerstone of England's tournament success, keeping six clean sheets in his 18 World Cup matches and making 32 saves — second only to Gordon Banks (33) and Shilton (54) in England's World Cup history.
The stakes: Kane closing in on history
Kane has enjoyed a prolific World Cup campaign, scoring six goals in the tournament so far, including braces against Croatia and DR Congo. His 85 international goals make him England's all-time leading scorer, and he has netted 14 World Cup goals in 17 matches. The 32-year-old's leadership has been central to England's run to the semi-finals, with former England captain Wayne Rooney calling him "England's superstar" and "the hero for us."
"Tuchel has based his team around Kane because he's a genuine superstar," said former Manchester City defender Micah Richards. "He's the one who stepped up when England needed him the most. He's an absolute hero."
Kane himself expressed his delight after the quarter-final win, saying he was "over the moon" and praising Jude Bellingham for his contribution. The victory set up a mouth-watering semi-final against Argentina, with Kane potentially reaching 121 caps and moving within touching distance of Shilton's all-time record of 125.
For Pickford, the World Cup appearance record adds to an impressive international career. Since his debut in November 2017, he has earned 90 caps, kept 44 clean sheets, and conceded just 59 goals at a rate of 0.66 per game. Only Kane (35) has made more major-tournament appearances for England than Pickford (31).
Perspective: England's golden generation chasing records
Kane's milestone is the latest in a series of record-breaking achievements for England's current squad. The team's run to the World Cup semi-finals has been built around a blend of experienced leaders like Kane and emerging talents such as Bellingham, who has been earning praise from senior teammates.
The quarter-final also marked a significant milestone for Arsenal, as the club became the fourth team to provide players who have amassed over 1,000 England caps. Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka, and Ebere Eze all featured for England in the match, pushing Arsenal past the 1,000-cap mark. Only Manchester United (1,423), Liverpool (1,209), and Tottenham Hotspur (1,062) have more England caps among clubs.
Kane's pursuit of Shilton's record highlights the longevity and consistency of his international career. If he continues at his current rate, he could surpass the legendary goalkeeper during the upcoming Nations League campaign. For England fans, the sight of their captain chasing history while leading the team deep into a World Cup is a familiar and welcome one.
The semi-final against Argentina promises to be a defining moment for this England side. With Kane on the cusp of individual history and the team aiming for a second consecutive World Cup final appearance, the stakes could not be higher.
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