- Full Time
- M. Guéhi on for J. Stones87'
- M. Rashford85'
- D. Spence on for J. Bellingham80'
- 79'A. Kramarić on for Mario Pašalić
- 78'N. Vlašić on for M. Baturina
- M. Rashford on for A. Gordon72'
- B. Saka on for N. Madueke72'
- M. Rogers on for D. Rice72'
- 66'Marco Pašalić on for L. Vušković
- 66'I. Matanović on for P. Musa
- 58'M. Kovačić on for L. Modrić
- J. Bellingham47'
- Half Time
- 50'P. Musa
- H. Kane42'
- 36'M. Baturina
- H. Kane12'
- Kick Off
-
1
Harry Kane2 - 2Marcus Rashford1
- 3
Martin Baturina1
- 1Harry Kane7
- 2Jude Bellingham3
- 3Anthony Gordon2
- 1Jude Bellingham3
- 2Morgan Rogers1
- 3Mario Pasalic1
Find the England vs Croatia result, stats and match report here.
England made the perfect start to their World Cup 2026 campaign, beating Croatia 4-2 in Dallas after an entertaining contest that burst into life after the break.
Harry Kane scored twice to move onto 81 international goals, while Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also found the net as Thomas Tuchel’s side overcame a stubborn Croatia team.
England were awarded a penalty inside 10 minutes when Luka Modric caught Noni Madueke in the box. Kane’s first attempt was brilliantly saved low to the goalkeeper’s left, but the spot-kick was ordered to be retaken following encroachment and movement off the line. Given a second opportunity, Kane made no mistake, finding the bottom corner to give England the lead.
Croatia gradually settled into the contest and found an equaliser on 35 minutes. Luka Sucic created the opening with a clever cut-back before Martin Baturina curled an excellent finish beyond Jordan Pickford.
England restored their advantage before the break. Declan Rice delivered a superb corner onto the penalty spot and Kane arrived from deep to power home a header for his second goal of the night. However, Croatia struck back in first-half injury time when Ivan Perisic laid the ball into the path of Petar Musa, who drilled beyond Pickford after England failed to clear their lines.
The Three Lions wasted little time after the restart. Just a minute into the second half, Elliot Anderson threaded a pass into Bellingham, who cut across his defender and finished confidently across goal to make it 3-2. England threatened to run away with the game from there, with Bellingham, Nico O’Reilly, Rice and Kane all forcing saves as Croatia struggled to cope with the pressure.
Croatia improved after the hydration break and Mario Pasalic tested Pickford from distance, but England remained in control. Their reward arrived late on when Bukayo Saka combined brilliantly with Rashford, who completed a flowing move to seal the victory.
England were not flawless defensively, but they controlled much of the contest and produced an impressive attacking display. For a side often criticised for a lack of flair at major tournaments, this was an eye-catching statement to begin their World Cup campaign.
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