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Lineker scored twice against Paraguay as England made the last eight in 1986. David Cannon/Allsport |
Inside the penalty area, and preferably inside the six-yard box, Lineker was the deadliest striker of his era.
Combining pace with the instinctive positioning of a poacher, Lineker was well established as England's top goalscorer by the time of the 1986 finals and had already agreed a move to Barcelona from Everton for the following season.
His new employers would be impressed by their investment in Mexico. Against Poland in the decisive group game Lineker scored a hat trick from close range to secure a 3-0 win and a place in the last 16.
He scored two more in a 3-0 win over Paraguay but then England came up against Maradona's Argentina. After the "Hand of God" goal and its stunning sequel England looked dead and buried, but late in the game Lineker connected with a header from John Barnes' cross to raise English hopes.
A few minutes later Barnes repeated the trick and Lineker was again waiting in front of goal. But somehow he failed to connect and England was out, with Lineker taking home the top scorer's golden boot for his six goals as consolation.
Lineker scored England's next World Cup goal, four years later in Sardinia, as Bobby Robson's side began its 1990 campaign with a 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland. This time it would make the semis, with Lineker keeping a cool head to slot home two penalties in the tense 3-2 quarterfinal win over Cameroon.
Against West Germany he somehow managed to turn a late half chance into the equalizer to Andreas Brehme's deflected freekick, but England's night and tournament were destined to end in misery in the penalty shootout.
Lineker retired in 1992 with 48 international goals, just one short of Bobby Charlton's England record.
