Report, score and goals as the Three Lions kick off the World Cup with a thrilling win
England cruised into a tough test to open their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia thanks to a superb second-half performance.
The start of England’s latest bid to end their 60-year trophy drought was a difficult one, with Harry Kane giving Thomas Tuchel’s side a first-half goal, only for Croatia to peg them back.
Kane broke the deadlock with a 12th minute penalty which should have been replayed, although his opener was canceled out by Martin Baturina’s fierce strike.
Bayern Munich star Kane made it 2-1 in the 42nd minute with an easy header from close range, but Croatia responded with a well-worked goal from Petar Musa late in the first half.
Yet England were much better in the second half, and were in front two minutes after the restart as Jude Bellingham responded to Tuchel’s message that he would have to fight for his place with a fine individual goal.
Dominik Livakovic kept Croatia in the game as the keeper denied a number of chances when England attacked, but Marcus Rashford wrapped up the points as England took a big step towards the knockout rounds with victory in what could be the toughest match they will face in Group L.
Kane leveled with Lineker but Croatia hit back twice
Luka Modric, who won his 199th cap for Croatia at the age of 40, gave England the opener when he fouled Noni Madueke after a corner was cleared.
It looked as if Modric’s embarrassment would be avoided when Livakovic blocked Kane’s poor penalty kick. However, the England captain was given a second chance as Josko Gvardiol’s entry saw referee Clement Turpin order it back, which also revealed that Livakovic had lost his line.
Kane didn’t repeat his mistake, insisting on finding the net with his second effort from 12 yards.
England failed to build on that goal, with Baturina punishing them in style when he met Petar Sucic’s layup with a superb header that flew into the net despite England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford getting a hand on it.
Poor marking by Croatia allowed Kane to restore England’s lead as he was tasked with turning in a free from Declan Rice’s corner.
That goal saw Kane tie Gary Lineker’s record for most goals by an England player at the World Cup with 10, but the celebrations were short-lived as Croatia equalized with a fine team move.
Ivan Perisic timed his run well as he latched onto Mario Pasalic’s long ball forward, and his subsequent lay-off was met by Musa’s first-time charge which left Pickford with no chance.
Bellingham and Rashford beat England
England quickly came back in the second half and Bellingham gave the perfect response to a message from his manager when he collected a good ball from Elliot Anderson and headed it to the right before firing past Livakovic.
Bellingham were then denied a second by Livakovic before Nico O’Reilly headed a free into the far post from another wonderful corner from Rice, who beat the Croatian keeper to create a two-goal buffer.
Livakovic produced many heroics as he made two saves to keep out O’Reilly’s headers and Anthony Gordon, the Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper repeating that to keep out Kane twice in quick succession.
After weathering that storm, Croatia went close as Marco Pasalic forced a strong save from Pickford, but Zlatko Dalic’s side again had their keeper to thank as Livakovic denied Djed Spence with one stop.
But there was nothing Livakovic could do as Rashford kept the game safe, crossing from the right after collecting a pass from Bukayo Saka who entered his area and bent the ball into the bottom right corner.
