Kane's 72-goal season puts him second only to Messi as England face Mexico

Harry Kane arrives at England’s World Cup last-16 clash with co-hosts Mexico having scored 72 goals across club and country this season, a tally surpassed only by Lionel Messi’s record-breaking 82-goal campaign in 2011-12. The 32-year-old’s stunning 86th-minute strike against DR Congo on Wednesday sealed a 2-1 victory that sent the Three Lions through to face Mexico.

Kane, who netted 61 goals for Bayern Munich before the tournament — helping the German club retain the Bundesliga title and lift the Coupe d’Allemagne — reflected on a season that has eclipsed anything he has produced before.

“This season for me, 72 goals so far and hopefully a few more to go, is almost 20 more than I’ve ever reached in my career to date and I’ve had some pretty good seasons up until now,” Kane said. “In terms of how I feel right now, I think just from an overall package, I feel as good as I’ve ever felt going onto the pitch.”

The England captain credited the convergence of physical condition, confidence and timing for his extraordinary form. “No matter the situation, no matter what kind of chance I get, I feel like I can score goals. I just think there’s a mixture of everything coming together at the right time. Going into major tournaments you need to have a little bit of luck to go your way, to physically be in the shape that you want to be.”

With England’s knockout schedule intensifying, Kane says he is simply focused on the next fixture. “For me it’s just about the next one. I’m in a good space. I just want the next game to be there and it’s kind of a good thing the games are coming thick and fast now.”

Anthony Gordon, who provided both assists against DR Congo, was effusive in his praise for his captain. “This season’s only been beaten by Messi and when you actually put it like that, it’s outrageous,” Gordon said. “Lionel Messi’s the best ever. There’s only one of him, and second behind him, there can’t be any more of a compliment than that.”

Gordon went further, arguing Kane deserves greater recognition at home. “What he’s doing this season is something we haven’t seen before — no English player has ever done it. His consistency every day, his ability to get a shot off from any angle is the best I’ve ever seen. I think as a country we probably need to appreciate him a lot more than we do because he’s the best to ever wear an England shirt.”