Harry Kane overtakes Wayne Rooney to become England’s top scorer in UEFA Champions League

Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane has etched his name into the history books by surpassing Wayne Rooney’s record for the most goals scored by an Englishman in the UEFA Champions League. With his latest performance, Kane has now scored 32 goals in Europe’s premier club competition, moving past Rooney’s tally of 30 goals.

In Bayern Munich’s thrashing of Dinamo Zagreb on September 17, 2024, Kane made history by scoring four goals, including a hat-trick that helped him eclipse Rooney’s record.

The moment arrived when Kane converted a penalty, his first of the night, after Aleksandar Pavlovic was fouled in the build-up to a disallowed goal by Serge Gnabry.

The English striker confidently dispatched the spot-kick, giving Bayern the lead and marking his 30th Champions League goal, equalling Rooney’s total.

Kane didn’t stop there, scoring twice more to register his 31st and 32nd goals in the competition. This latest feat highlights Kane’s remarkable goal-scoring form, with nine goals in just 13 Champions League appearances for Bayern Munich, adding to the 21 goals he scored during his time at Tottenham Hotspur.

Wayne Rooney set the benchmark for English players in the UEFA Champions League, netting 30 goals across 85 appearances during his 13-year career at Manchester United.

In addition to his goal tally, Rooney also provided 21 assists and played a pivotal role in helping United win the Champions League in 2008. Despite his illustrious career, Kane has surpassed Rooney’s record in significantly fewer matches, underlining his clinical ability in front of goal.

However, Kane still has one major accolade to chase—winning the Champions League trophy. Despite being one of the most prolific goal-scorers in European football, the England captain has yet to lift the prestigious title.

Kane’s hat-trick against Dinamo Zagreb further established his place as one of the most lethal strikers in Europe. Bayern Munich dominated the match, with Michael Olise and Raphael Guerreiro also finding the back of the net. Despite a spirited fightback from Dinamo, which saw goals from Bruno Petkovic and Takuya Ogiwara, Bayern ran out comfortable winners.

Kane’s performance not only solidifies his position as Bayern’s key man in attack but also raises expectations for his ability to lead the German giants deep into the competition this season. With more games ahead, Kane will be eager to continue his remarkable scoring streak and, perhaps, finally get his hands on the elusive Champions League trophy.

As it stands, Harry Kane has firmly cemented his legacy in the Champions League, and with Bayern Munich’s sights set on European glory, the 30-year-old striker could add to his tally in the coming months.