Gary Lineker & Fans Hail Harry Kane as England Striker Equals 54-Year-Old Record Against San Marino

Kane may have failed in ending England's 55-year-wait for a major international trophy during the Euros in July, but the Tottenham talisman continues to make history in 2021. On Monday, the 28-year-old footballer set several records during his team's 10-0 rout of San Marino in Monday's World Cup qualifier.

England skipper Harry Kane not only secured England's place in next year's FIFA World Cup in Qatar but also became the first English player in 54 years to register back-to-back international hat-tricks.

His four goals against minnows San Marino at the Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle follows three goals against Albania last Friday. Kane's quartet of strikes against the former came in the 27th, 31st, 39th, and 42nd minute.

Harry Maguire opened the scoring in the 6th minute, followed by an own goal by Filippo Fabbri, before debutant Emile Smith Rowe, Tyrone Mings, Tammy Abraham, and Bukayo Saka got on the scoresheet.

However, it was Kane who stole the show with his four goals. The Spurs frontman also became the first player to score four goals for England since 1993, when Ian Wright did the same – also against San Marino.

Moreover, Kane took his tally of goals for England in 2021 to 16, a national record, and now sits level with former Spurs frontman Gary Linekar as the country's joint third-highest goal scorers on 48 goals each.

Kane's heroics were hailed by both the fans and former players, including Linekar. Some people on social media even declared him the "best player in the world right now."

Scored the most goals ever in a calendar year for @England. ✅

First player to score back-to-back hat-tricks since 1957. ✅

First player since 1993 to score 4+ goals in a game. ✅

👏 @HKane 👏 pic.twitter.com/Is7mDigx0R

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 15, 2021

Hello @HKane, welcome to the 48 goal club. I suspect your membership will expire within minutes, but it’s been a pleasure to have you alongside. 👏🏻👏🏻

— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) November 15, 2021

Ketchup free Harry Kane is probably the best player in the world right now

— 🇮🇹 (@axelthfc) November 15, 2021

Four first-half goals, @HKane? That's insane. pic.twitter.com/vsxyhF0w7a

— England (@England) November 15, 2021

Harry Kane has 16 goals this season, Salah only has 15.

I’m meant to believe one is the best player in the world and the other is having a poor season apparently?

— AU 🇮🇹 (@fanofconte) November 15, 2021

England finish top of Group I in the World Cup qualifiers with 26 points, six points ahead of second-placed Poland.