England defeated Croatia 4-2 in a chaotic Group L opener at AT&T Stadium, Dallas on June 18, 2026, to claim three points in Thomas Tuchel’s first competitive match in charge. Harry Kane’s brace, Jude Bellingham’s early second-half strike, and Marcus Rashford’s late finish did the damage, though Croatia twice pegged England back before the interval.
🔥 Quick Read
- England beat Croatia 4-2 in Group L opener
- Kane brace equals Lineker’s England World Cup record of 10 goals
- Croatia levelled twice before half-time via Baturina and Musa
- Bellingham scored 85 seconds after half-time to put England ahead for good
- Rashford sealed it from the bench in the 85th minute
England Twice Pegged Back Before Second Half Takes Over
England were awarded a penalty inside the opening 12 minutes after Noni Madueke drew a foul from Luka Modric. Kane’s initial spot-kick was saved by Dominik Livakovic, but referee Clement Turpin ordered a retake following Gvardiol’s encroachment and Livakovic stepping off his line and Kane converted at the second attempt.
Croatia hit back nine minutes before the break when Martin Baturina curled Petar Sucic’s cutback into the top corner, and the match was level at 1-1.
England retook the lead in the 42nd minute through a Kane header from Declan Rice’s corner, only for Croatia to equalise again in first-half stoppage time, Petar Musa volleying in after Ivan Perisic’s clever knockdown. The first half ended 2-2, making it only the eighth World Cup match in history in which both sides had scored twice before the break.
The second half was England’s from the outset. Bellingham put them ahead just 85 seconds after the restart, racing onto Elliot Anderson’s pass before firing in off the left post.
Croatia goalkeeper Livakovic then produced a remarkable sequence of saves to deny several England chances, but substitute Rashford settled matters in the 85th minute, combining with Bukayo Saka before stroking the ball into the bottom corner.
The Retaken Penalty and Bellingham’s Rapid Restart Goal
Kane’s opening penalty required a retake after Livakovic was adjudged to have moved off his line and Gvardiol encroached, the England captain made no mistake second time.
Kane’s 42nd-minute header from Rice’s corner was his tenth World Cup goal, equalling Gary Lineker’s all-time England record. Bellingham’s 47th-minute strike, just 85 seconds into the second half, proved the decisive turn, Croatia never recovered their first-half parity after that.
Livakovic’s triple save midway through the second half kept Croatia in contention momentarily, but Rashford’s 85th-minute finish ended any doubt.
Kane Equals a Record That Stood for Decades
Harry Kane was England’s central figure throughout. He converted a twice-taken penalty in the 12th minute, having missed a spot-kick at the 2022 World Cup quarter-final against France, and then headed in from Declan Rice’s corner in the 42nd minute to reach ten World Cup goals, equalling Gary Lineker’s England record.
Kane also became only the second England player to score at three separate World Cup tournaments, after David Beckham. Even when Livakovic denied him twice in quick succession late in the second half, Kane’s contribution to the win was already decisive.
Three Points Secured, Group L Picture Takes Shape
The win gives England three points and a positive goal difference heading into their remaining Group L fixtures. Croatia, who twice showed the resilience to equalise, were undone by a stronger second-half display from Tuchel’s side and now face a must-improve situation.
England’s next Group L match is against Ghana, while Croatia face Panama, both sides needing a response to the opening round’s results. England qualified for this tournament having won every qualifying match without conceding a goal, and this performance, despite the first-half defensive lapses, suggests their attacking options run deep with Bellingham, Rashford, and Saka all contributing from the bench or in key moments.
England sit top of Group L after Matchday 1; Croatia must respond against Panama to keep their last-16 hopes alive.
