England top scorers of all time: Complete list of most goals with Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney, Gary Lineker and legends
Harry Kane is the England men’s all-time record goalscorer after scoring his 56th goal in his 83rd cap against Malta.
He had been level with Wayne Rooney atop England’s all-time scorer’s list, with his name firmly entrenched among the elite forwards who have put on an England shirt.
Kane’s momentous England goal came on March 23, 2023 as he converted a penalty to put the Three Lions 2-0 up in Naples in their opening Europe 2024 qualifier and then added to his tally three days later in the 2-0 win over Ukraine at Wembley.
Still just 30 years of age, Kane will have plenty more opportunities to extend his lead at the top of the charts. His form for Bayern Munich in his first season in Germany certainly stands him in good stead to add to his record tally when England face Australia in a friendly match at Wembley Stadium.
MORE: Premier League all-time top scorers: Where Kane ranks
What is the England goals record?
The record for most goals for the England men’s national team belongs to Harry Kane.
Wayne Rooney scored 53 goals for England in 120 appearances. Kane is on 59 goals after 86 appearances.
Rooney and Kane are the only male English players in history to have crossed the 50-goal threshold for the national team.
The only other England players with 40 or more are Bobby Charlton (49), Gary Lineker (48), Jimmy Greaves (44) and Michael Owen (40).
RECORD BREAKER ????
Harry Kane is @England‘s all time top scorer ????#C4Football | #ThreeLions | #ITAENG pic.twitter.com/ElfwtCYocu
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) March 23, 2023
MORE: England World Cup squad 2022: Who made it and why
Most England goals all-time
In addition to the list of players above, there is a group of three players on 30 goals, which includes Premier League all-time scoring leader Alan Shearer.
Another familiar name, Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, rounds out the top 10, which is made more impressive by the fact that he played in central midfield.
| Name | Goals | Caps | Years |
| Harry Kane | 59 | 86 | 2015 – present |
| Wayne Rooney | 53 | 120 | 2003 – 2018 |
| Bobby Charlton | 49 | 106 | 1958 – 1970 |
| Gary Lineker | 48 | 80 | 1984 – 1992 |
| Jimmy Greaves | 44 | 57 | 1959 – 1967 |
| Michael Owen | 40 | 89 | 1998 – 2008 |
| Nat Lofthouse | 30 | 33 | 1950 – 1958 |
| Alan Shearer | 30 | 63 | 1992 – 2000 |
| Tom Finney | 30 | 76 | 1946 – 1958 |
| Vivian Woodward | 29 | 23 | 1903 – 1911 |
| Frank Lampard | 29 | 106 | 1999 – 2014 |
Harry Kane England goals
Kane scored on his first England appearance, in a 4-0 win over Lithuania in 2015. But it was in 2017 that he began to score at a steady clip on international level, tucking away seven goals in six appearances.
That form continued into 2018 and through the World Cup in Russia, with Kane scoring eight goals in 12 matches during that year. Six of those came on the biggest stage at the World Cup, as England reached the semifinal stage.
He kept up his scoring form, and he actually upped his total in 2019 to 12 goals, adding to his career tally during England’s Euro qualifying and Nations League campaigns.
The 2020 calendar year, which was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw him go goalless on a limited schedule (just six matches). But he bounced back with a single-year career high of 16 goals in 16 matches in 2021.
A measure of just how prolific Kane has been is evidenced in the ranking of the England all-time top scorers rearranged by goals per appearance. His 0.66 goals per match played stands well above the other Premier League era scorers.
| Name | Goals per cap |
| Vivian Woodward | 1.26 |
| Nat Lofthouse | 0.91 |
| Jimmy Greaves | 0.77 |
| Harry Kane | 0.67 |
| Gary Lineker | 0.6 |
| Alan Shearer | 0.48 |
| Bobby Charlton | 0.46 |
| Michael Owen | 0.45 |
| Wayne Rooney | 0.44 |
| Tom Finney | 0.39 |
| Frank Lampard | 0.27 |
MORE: Who has the most away goals in Premier League history?
When did Harry Kane break the England record?
Kane made history when he converted the penalty in England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy on March 23, 2023 which they won 2-1.
With Declan Rice already putting the Three Lions ahead, England were awarded a penalty just before half-time and there was never any doubt as to who would step up for the spot-kick.
The Tottenham striker buried his penalty past Gianluigi Donnarumma before wheeling off to the corner flag to celebrate, each of his teammates congratulating him on his historic feat.
