England 4-2 Croatia: Kane Double and Bellingham Settle Thrilling World Cup Opener

Match Details

• Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Group L
• Date: 17th June 2026
• Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
• Final Score: England 4 - 2 Croatia
• Half Time: England 2 - 2 Croatia
• Referee: Clement Turpin

Match Stats & Key Metrics

The Story of the Match

ENGLAND opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Harry Kane scoring twice and Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford striking after the interval to settle a chaotic Group L contest. Twice pegged back in a breathless first half, Thomas Tuchel's side regained their composure after the break to see off a resilient Croatia and make the perfect start in Texas.

England arrived in the United States as one of the tournament favourites, having come through qualifying with a perfect record and without conceding a goal. They needed only a matter of minutes to make their authority count when Kane stepped up to convert from the penalty spot, the captain forced to take his kick a second time after an initial save and encroachment in the area, before drilling the retake low into the corner.

The lead lasted barely a moment. Croatia responded almost immediately through Martin Baturina, who punished England for a careless loss of possession in midfield by striking from distance to level the contest. The early exchanges had the makings of a long afternoon for the England defence, but Kane was not finished. Meeting a Declan Rice corner with a firm header, the striker restored the advantage with his second of the afternoon to send England back in front.

Croatia, beaten finalists and semi-finalists on the World Cup stage in recent memory, refused to yield. With the last meaningful kick of the first half, Petar Musa turned home a fine Ivan Perisic delivery to level matters once more and send the sides in at the interval at 2-2. It had been a remarkable opening period of four goals and few moments of calm, and England knew improvement was required.

Tuchel's half-time words had the desired effect. England were sharper and more controlled after the restart, and they regained the lead through Bellingham, the Real Madrid midfielder driving forward down the right before steering a low finish across the goalkeeper. From that point England grew in confidence and only the goalkeeping of Dominik Livakovic, who produced several important saves, kept Croatia within touching distance.

The result was put beyond doubt when substitute Rashford, set up by the lively Bukayo Saka, applied the finish to make it 4-2 and complete the scoring. It was a statement of intent from England, even if the manner of those first-half lapses will give Tuchel plenty to consider before they return to action against Panama and Ghana in the remaining Group L fixtures.

Jude Bellingham, who restored England's lead early in the second half. Photo: Hossein Zohrevand, Tasnim News Agency, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Author's Standout Players

• Harry Kane (England) - The captain led from the front with a composed two-goal display, holding his nerve to convert a retaken penalty before powering home a header from Declan Rice's corner. A typically influential performance from England's record goalscorer.
• Jude Bellingham (England) - Grew into the contest after a frantic first half and produced the decisive moment, driving down the right before restoring England's lead early in the second half. His energy and quality set the tone for the victory.
• Petar Musa (Croatia) - A constant threat in attack and rewarded with a well-taken goal on the stroke of half time from Ivan Perisic's delivery, giving Croatia hope before England pulled clear after the break.

Top photo: Harry Kane. Photo: enviro warrior, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons