Harry Kane gunning for Gary Lineker’s tournament goal record on way to England Euros glory

Harry Kane has set his sights on breaking Gary Lineker's record of England goals at major tournaments on the way to winning the Euro 2020.

Kane scored twice as England thrashed Ukraine 4-0 to set up a semi-final against Denmark back at Wembley on Wednesday – their first since 1996.

It took the captain to nine goals at major Finals following his clincher in the last-16 against Germany and six at the 2018 World Cup, when he went home with the Golden Boot.

Lineker has 10 goals in major tournaments, having scored six times at the 1986 World Cup – when he was top scorer – and four in 1990.

"Whenever you are playing you want to be the best you can be and try and become the best that there has been," Kane said.

"Major tournaments are massive for our country, massive for our nation. I love being involved in them. It would be great. Gary was an amazing player, a great English striker.

“If I’m able to score a goal or two in the next game it should hopefully help us proceed to the final. I’ve said all along, group stage, where I’m now, it is just about helping the team as much as possible as a striker. If scoring goals is that, then hopefully I can score a few more."

Kane broke the deadlock after just four minutes, poking home Raheem Sterling's through ball and made it 3-0 with a header from Luke Shaw's cross during a second-half blitz in which England scored three times in 17 minutes.

Either side of his second goal, England twice scored from set-pieces, with Harry Maguire thumping home a header from Shaw's free-kick seconds after the restart and Jordan Henderson stopping to nod home Mason Mount's corner for his first international goal.

Kane described it as the "perfect night" but warned that England had achieved nothing yet.

"Fantastic performance from everyone," he said. "It was the perfect night for us. We got off to a great start. To be fair, Ukraine created a few problems for us and we had to adapt our formation a little bit.

“But second half we came out on fire, getting those early goals really killed the team off, after that we kept the ball really well, killed the game, managed to save a few legs and a few boys on yellow cards. We couldn’t have asked for a better night.

"We’re on the right track for sure. But look, we haven’t done anything yet. We've got a massive semi-final to look forward to at Wembley. What an occasion, what a moment to be involved in. We have a vision of where we want to be .We 're taking it step by step. And so far so good.

"We have to recover now, take confidence from his game and face a tough team in Denmark who have their own positives we’re having to be ready for."

Kane's form was the subject of scrutiny during the group stage when he failed to score and had just one shot on target but he has now scored three times in the knockouts as he peaks at the perfect time for England.

"I've said all along, as a striker the ball sometimes just falls your way and sometimes it doesn’t," he said.

"The ball fell my way early, I was able to put one away and to get one at the start of the second half was important. I nearly got the hat-trick but thankfully Hendo scored from the corner away.

"That's part and parcel of being a striker. You have to be ready for the next opportunity and I'll be ready again on Wednesday."

Read More

Alan Shearer: Something special is happening with England... roll on Euros semi-final

Harry Kane and Harry Maguire ‘not settling for Euros semi-final’ after England thump Ukraine

Fearless England let loose as Gareth Southgate’s golden touch sees stylish Euros semi-final warm-up

Ukraine 0-4 England: Fearsome Three Lions reign in Rome to reach Euros semi-final

Harry Kane delights England fans with early goal in Ukraine Euros clash

England 4-0 Ukraine LIVE! Kane, Maguire, Henderson goal; Euros result, highlights and reaction

England player ratings vs Ukraine: Luke Shaw shines as Harry Kane leads from the front