Harry Kane’s Penalty Sends England Past Mexico as He Ties Gerd Müller with 14 World Cup Goals

Harry Kane’s second-half penalty did more than settle England’s place in the World Cup quarterfinals. It also moved the England captain alongside one of the game’s great finishers, lifting him level with former West Germany striker Gerd Müller on 14 career World Cup goals.

England beat co-host Mexico 3-2 in the round of 16 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Saturday, advancing to a quarterfinal against Norway on July 11 in Miami. Kane’s spot kick in the 60th minute was his sixth goal of the 2026 tournament and the latest landmark in a World Cup career that has already reshaped England’s record book.

The match turned quickly and then stayed tense. Jude Bellingham put England ahead in the 36th minute and doubled the lead two minutes later, with Kane credited for the assist on the second goal. Julián Quiñones pulled one back for Mexico before halftime. England then spent much of the second half with 10 men after defender Jarell Quansah was sent off following a VAR review, a decision that means he will miss the quarterfinal through suspension. Kane restored England’s cushion from the penalty spot before Raúl Jiménez converted a penalty for Mexico in the 69th minute.

Kane’s 14 World Cup goals now match Müller’s total from the 1970 and 1974 tournaments, a significant historical marker for a modern striker. Only two players remain ahead of him on the men’s all-time World Cup scoring list: Brazil great Ronaldo on 15 and Germany’s Miroslav Klose on 16. Earlier in this tournament, Kane had already overtaken Gary Lineker to become England’s leading scorer at World Cup finals. He also won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup with six goals.

“What a special night for England,” Kane told Bundesliga.com. “We scored three goals away from home against a team that have not conceded in the tournament. We played 40-50 minutes with 10 men, so whatever you say about us as a team - the one thing we do have is complete desire, determination and pride in the shirt.”

The result was notable beyond Kane’s milestone. England came through hostile co-host conditions at one of football’s most famous stadiums and ended what coverage described as Mexico’s 10-game unbeaten run in World Cup matches at the Azteca, handing them a first World Cup loss there. The game also featured two penalties and major VAR involvement, and England coach Thomas Tuchel said some officiating decisions were “not good enough,” according to Sky News.

England now heads to Hard Rock Stadium for a quarterfinal against Norway, with Kane carrying both his team and his place in World Cup history deeper into the tournament.