Harry Kane fires England to thrilling win over Croatia in World Cup opener
England produced a breathtaking performance to beat Croatia 4-2 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L opener in Dallas. Harry Kane scored twice, Jude Bellingham struck early in the second half, and substitute Marcus Rashford sealed the win late on in a match full of action.
England 4-2 Croatia
Goals: 1-0 Kane pen. 12', 1-1 Baturina 36' (assist: Sučić), 2-1 Kane 42' (assist: Rice), 2-2 Musa 45' +5' (assist: Perišić), 3-2 Bellingham 47' (assist: Anderson), 4-2 Rashford 85' (assist: Saka)
A host of Bundesliga stars were on display as England beat Croatia, with Bayern Munich's Kane proving the star of the show. Hamburg's Luka Vušković and Bayern's Josip Stanišić started for Croatia, but they were no match for the clinical finishing of England's number nine.
Kane fires England ahead but Croatia respond
England made a lively start, and in the eighth minute Noni Madueke was brought down in the box by Luka Modrić, who was adjudged to have fouled the winger.
Kane stepped up but saw his first penalty saved by Dominik Livaković. However, the VAR intervened, ruling that Livaković had moved off his line too early, and that Joško Gvardiol had encroached, leading to the penalty being retaken.
This time, Kane made no mistake, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to put England ahead in the 12th minute — his ninth World Cup goal.
Croatia responded well and drew level in the 36th minute through a stunning strike. Petar Sučić played the ball into the path of Martin Baturina, who struck a fierce effort from the edge of the box that flew into the top corner past Jordan Pickford.
England restore lead but are pegged back again
England restored their lead almost immediately. Declan Rice delivered a corner from the right, and Kane arrived at the penalty spot to power home a header. The goal was Kane's tenth at World Cups, drawing him level with Gary Lineker as England's all-time top scorer at the tournament.
Croatia refused to be beaten and struck back in dramatic fashion deep into first-half stoppage time. Mario Pašalić chipped a perfectly weighted ball over the top to Ivan Perišić, who headed it across to the waiting Petar Musa. The striker finished coolly from close range in the last minute of stoppage time to send the sides in level at 2-2 at the break.
England dominate second half
England came out with renewed purpose after the interval and took the lead within two minutes of the restart. Elliot Anderson played Jude Bellingham in on the right, and the midfielder drove into the box before slotting a composed finish into the far corner.
England then dominated the next few minutes, with Livaković producing a string of outstanding saves to keep Croatia in the match. Rice, Nico O'Reilly and Anthony Gordon all went close as England pressed relentlessly for a fourth goal.
Substitutes Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford combined to settle the contest in the 85th minute: Saka worked space down the right and switched the ball to Rashford, who cut inside and bent a superb finish into the far corner to make it 4-2.
