Kane scores twice as England beat Croatia 4-2 in World Cup opener

Harry Kane scored twice, including a retaken penalty, as England beat Croatia 4-2 in their Group L opener at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Wednesday.apnews
Croatia twice equalized through Martin Baturina and FC Dallas striker Petar Musa, but Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford struck after halftime to seal the win.bbc
England top Group L and next face Ghana in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, while Croatia play Panama in Toronto the same day.espn

Kane Scores Twice as England Beat Croatia 4-2 in World Cup Opener

Harry Kane scored twice to equal Gary Lineker’s all-time England record for World Cup goals as Thomas Tuchel’s side opened their 2026 campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Wednesday night.ndtv

A Thrilling First Half

Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 12th minute after a VAR review determined Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic had both feet off the goal line during his initial save. The penalty was awarded when 40-year-old Luka Modric, appearing in a record fifth World Cup, kicked Noni Madueke in the thigh. Kane doubled England’s lead in the 42nd minute with a header from a Declan Rice corner kick, taking his World Cup tally to 10 goals — level with Lineker’s record set across the 1986 and 1990 tournaments.apnews

Croatia refused to buckle. Martin Baturina pulled one back in the 36th minute with a shot that ticked off Jordan Pickford’s hand into the left corner, and FC Dallas striker Petar Musa leveled the match at 2-2 with a one-timer past Pickford. Musa, who plays his club football roughly 40 miles from the venue, became the latest MLS player to score for a European nation at the World Cup.ndtv

Second-Half Surge Seals Victory

The deadlock lasted barely two minutes into the second half. Jude Bellingham collected a long pass, held off his defender, and fired a shot past Livakovic off the far post to restore England’s lead in the 47th minute. Bellingham nearly added another moments later, but Livakovic produced a string of saves during a sustained English onslaught.espn

Marcus Rashford, introduced as a substitute, sealed the win in the 85th minute with a composed finish to give the scoreline a more comfortable appearance.bbc

Looking Ahead

The result avenges England’s 2018 World Cup semifinal defeat to Croatia and gives Tuchel’s team three points atop Group L. England next face Ghana in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, while Croatia take on Panama in Toronto the same day.espn