#头条首发大赛#
Harry · Kane is chasing a European Championship record that England could set on Wednesday night against Netherlands in the 2024 semi-finals.
Despite scoring a career-high 44 goals in his debut season at Bayern Munich, Kane has struggled to be at his best in this summer's European Championship so far. But he still has two goals to go and still has the potential to end the tournament with a strong Golden Boot award.
One of the goals came in a group stage draw with Denmark, while the other came in an extra-time win over Slovakia in the round of 16. The goal saw Kane reach five rounds in the knockout stages of the European Championship, joint-most with Antoine · Griezmann. The France did not add to his goals at Euro 2024 ahead of France's semi-final exit this week.
Over the past 30 years, the expansion of the tournament has undoubtedly helped modern players score goals in the knockout rounds. The first five European Championships, held between 1960 and 1976, had only four teams participating, while until 1996 it was an eight-team competition.
For the first 32 years, the semi-finals and finals were the only knockout rounds. Since 1996, players have had the opportunity to play one more match in the quarter-finals, and in 2016, the final 16 rounds began as the number of teams expanded to 24. Today, players from teams that reach the finals can play up to four knockout matches in a single match. For Kane, who made his European Championship debut in 2016, Wednesday night's semi-final will be his eighth European Championship knockout game.
By contrast, the late Germany legend Gerd · Müller scored four European Cup knockout goals in his illustrious career, but only made two appearances – both in 1972. With Euro 2028 taking place in the weeks leading up to Kane's 35th birthday, this summer could be his last continental competition for England.
Harry · Kane's European Cup knockout goal
| race | Against the team | Rounding |
| Euro 2020 | England 2-0 Germany | Round of 16 |
| Euro 2020 | Ukraine 0-4 England | quarterfinal |
| Euro 2020 | Ukraine 0-4 England | quarterfinal |
| Euro 2020 | England 2-1 Denmark | semifinal |
| Euro 2024 | England 2-1 Slovakia | Round of 16 |