Gary Lineker and Oleg Salenko share World Cup scoring record
The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 17, 2026, 7:00 AM
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
Gary Lineker scored six of England's seven goals at the 1986 World Cup, representing the highest percentage at the tournament. Oleg Salenko matched this feat by scoring six of Russia's seven goals during the 1994 World Cup, which included five in a single match against Cameroon. Both players' teams did not progress beyond the group stages, which affects the criteria for a higher percentage of team goals at the World Cup. The discussion also touches upon players and teams that had significant scoring contributions in past tournaments.
- •Lineker scored six goals in 1986 for England
- •Salenko matched Lineker with six goals in 1994 for Russia
- •Both players' teams exited at the group stage
- •Discussion excludes teams scoring three goals or fewer
- •Highlights scoring contributions at World Cups
- 7:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — Which player has scored the highest percentage of their team’s goals at a World Cup? | The Knowledge
"Plus: World Cup winners with no domestic honours, and why Australia are unofficial world champions Mail us with your all of your questions and answers “In 1986, Gary Lineker scored six of England’s seven World Cup goals,” writes Brendon O’Mahony. “Has anyone scored a higher proportion of their country’s goals at a World Cup? Let’s exclude teams who were knocked out in the group stage or who scored three goals or fewer” A number of you mentioned Oleg Salenko, the Russian striker who matched Lineker by scoring six of their seven goals at USA 94. That included five in one game against Cameroon, which turned out to be Salenko’s last in international football at the age of 24. Russia went out at the group stage despite Salenko’s romp, so he doesn’t meet the criteria laid out in Brendon’s question. Continue reading...
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