Harry Kane scores twice, whereas Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford additionally internet, as England beat Croatia 4-2 in 2026 opener.
Revealed On 17 Jun 2026
Harry Kane scored twice within the first half as England finally noticed off Croatia 4-2 to launch their World Cup assault in Texas.
Jude Bellingham, instantly after half-time, and substitute Marcus Rashford with 5 minutes to go ensured a profitable begin for Thomas Tuchel’s aspect after Croatia had fought again to degree at 2-2 in Wednesday’s sport.
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The prolific Kane twice put England forward within the first half – one a retaken penalty – just for Martin Baturina and Petar Musa to hit again for 2018 runners-up Croatia.
With either side shaky on the again, the second half threatened one other purpose glut, Bellingham needing simply two minutes to place England forward once more in entrance of a crowd of 70,000.
England had quite a few probabilities to increase their lead instantly after, however didn’t take them till Rashford popped up.
The assembly was a repeat of the 2018 semifinal, which Croatia received 2-1 after additional time, though England have since had the sting towards one of many older squads on the event in North America.
Thomas Tuchel’s aspect, bidding to ship England a primary main trophy since 1966, made a nervy begin in entrance of a packed home on the spectacular air-conditioned dwelling of the Dallas Cowboys.
Then the drama got here. Croatia’s talismanic captain Luka Modric dangled out a leg and caught Noni Madueke within the field.
Kane noticed his unconvincing penalty saved by Dominik Livakovic, just for French referee Clement Turpin to order a retake after video replays deemed the stopper had come off his line.
Turpin as soon as despatched off Tuchel within the Champions League and the referee taking cost of the sport had been highlighted by English media this week.
Bayern Munich predator Kane held his nerve a second time round, once more going to Livakovic’s left however this time in additional ruthless vogue to provide England the lead after 12 minutes.
Now it was all England, and Actual Madrid midfielder Bellingham – most popular to Morgan Rogers within the quantity 10 function – surged upfield, forcing Livakovic to smother.
Loud boos rang out for the drinks break, given the match was below a roof and never the unforgiving Texas solar.
On the half hour, England ought to have gone 2-0 up, Bellingham narrowly failing to make contact with Madueke’s scrumptious low cross.
On 36 minutes, Croatia drew degree.
England squandered the ball in midfield, then Petar Sucic left John Stones on the ground with some neat footwork to arrange Baturina.
The 23-year-old met the ball for the primary time and whipped it previous Jordan Pickford, who received a hand to the ball.
Zlatko Dalic’s aspect have been degree for simply six minutes as a Declan Rice nook discovered Kane unmarked and the captain nodded dwelling.
It took skipper Kane to 10 World Cup objectives, essentially the most of any England participant together with Gary Lineker.
Tuchel, who has made it clear that profitable the World Cup is his goal, barely smiled.
Placing the seal on a frenetic first half, Musa took benefit of extra poor England defending within the fifth minute of harm time to stroke the ball in from shut vary for 2-2.
The second half began simply as the primary ended – with a purpose – as Bellingham galloped down the fitting unchallenged and rolled the ball into the nook.
Kane and Nico O’Reilly, twice every, and Bellingham had good probabilities for a 4-2 lead as England pummelled the Croatia purpose.
With quarter-hour left and England retreating, Croatia had a number of alternatives earlier than Rashford made the three factors secure.
