- England vs Croatia was the opening match for both sides in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- England secured a 4-2 victory on Wednesday, June 17, at Dallas Stadium.
- Harry Kane scored a brace, while Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also found the net to ensure the Three Lions opened their campaign with a win.
Harry Kane scored a brace to equal England’s all-time national team scoring record of ten goals as he inspired the Three Lions to a 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening 2026 FIFA World Cup match on Wednesday night.
At Dallas Stadium, both sides went into the break level at 2-2, with Kane netting both of England’s first-half goals, while Martin Baturina and Petar Musa found the scoresheet for Croatia.
However, second-half strikes from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford secured the win for England.
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It was a frantic end-to-end first half, but England were the first to break the deadlock just ten minutes in.
The corner came in during the ninth minute, and Croatia failed to clear their lines. Madueke reacted quickest to a loose ball. Veteran Luka Modric failed to spot him and, while attempting to hook the ball clear, clipped the England winger and conceded a penalty.
Kane stepped up and produced a stuttering run-up before scuffing a poor effort towards the bottom-right corner. Dominik Livakovic made the save, and the ball was cleared.
However, Josko Gvardiol had encroached into the box, giving Kane another opportunity. The England captain made no mistake the second time around, blasting his penalty into the right side of the net as the goalkeeper dived the wrong way to put England ahead.
With both teams battling for control, Croatia found an equaliser six minutes after the half-hour mark through a brilliantly worked move.
Petar Sucic surged down the right and cut the ball back for Martin Baturina, who arrived from the flank and unleashed a first-time strike across Jordan Pickford into the top-left corner.
Just as Croatia looked ready to seize control of the match, they conceded another corner six minutes later.
Rice delivered the set piece, and an unmarked Kane rose highest at the penalty spot to power a downward header into the bottom-left corner, restoring England’s advantage and completing his brace.
England appeared set to carry that slender lead into the interval, but Croatia came alive in stoppage time.
Mario Pasalic floated a ball forward, and Ivan Perisic cushioned a header into the path of Musa, who opened his body and guided a composed finish across Pickford into the bottom-right corner to level the scores and register his debut World Cup goal.
Only a minute into the second half, Thomas Tuchel’s men regained the lead.
Jude Bellingham latched onto a long pass from Elliot Anderson down the right. Although the ball was intended for Madueke, Bellingham took control, surged down the flank, drove inside, and fired a low effort across Livakovic into the bottom-left corner.
Fresh legs ultimately made the difference for England, and they extended their lead in the closing stages.
Bukayo Saka skipped down the right touchline and looked for Spence. Although his pass failed to find its target, he recovered possession and rolled the ball inside to Rashford, who was unmarked on the edge of the box.
Rashford cut inside, sold Livakovic with his body shape, and curled a low effort into the bottom-right corner.
That fourth goal sealed the victory for the dominant side, who made the most of their opportunities.
Croatia, meanwhile, paid the price for leaving too much space at the back, allowing England’s attackers to exploit the gaps with dangerous runs and incisive attacks.
England will now look to secure their place in the next round when they face Ghana in their second group match next Tuesday, while Croatia will aim to bounce back against Panama on Wednesday.
England vs Croatia – 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K Lineups (June 17, 2026)
- England: Jordan Pickford; Reece James, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Nico O’Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice; Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane.
- Croatia: Dominik Livakovic; Josip Stanisic, Luka Vuskovic, Josko Gvardiol, Josip Sutalo; Luka Modric, Mario Pasalic, Petar Sucic; Ivan Perisic, Martin Baturina, Petar Musa.
Read more about other World Cup teams in 2026 below:
France national football team 2026
Morocco national football team 2026
Argentina national football team 2026
Mexico national football team 2026
Spain national football team 2026
Brazil national football team 2026