Euro Qualifiers: Harry Kane extends England scoring record

Harry Kane scored a record-extending 56th goal for England as y routed Malta 4-0 in European Championship qualifying on Friday. striker became England’s outright leading scorer in March when he surpassed Wayne Rooney’s total of 53, struck his 50th in competitive games and Gareth Southgate’s team maintained its 100% start to Euro 2024 qualifying. Kane scored from penalty spot in 31st minute to give England a 3-0 halftime lead at Ta’ Qali National Stadium after Ferdinando Apap’s own goal and a stunning strike from Trent Alexander-Arld.

Callum Wilson slotted second penalty of game to round off scoring. England has won its opening three games in Group C, which also contains defending European champion Italy. England was always expected to win comfortably against a team ranked 172nd in world and was on course for victory from as early as eighth minute when Ferdinando Apap put ball into his own net with Kane threatening. Alexander-Arld doubled lead with a strike worthy of . 10 he wore on his back after being tried out in a midfield role.

Southgate had said he would deploy defender in a more advanced position in absence of Jude Bellingham, who has just completed a move to Real Madrid. Alexander-Arld collected ball 25 yards out and whipped a shot beyond Malta goalkeeper Henry Bonello. It was his first competitive goal for his country. “It’s somewhere I can see myself playing,” Alexander-Arld said. “I want to make sure I am regularly on team sheet and today was a good foundation to build on.”

Kane was brought down by Matw Guillaumier in box and coolly converted spot kick. Ar penalty was awarded late after Wilson’s cross struck Steve Borg, and substitute striker converted.