Kane double leads England to victory over Croatia in exciting World Cup | World Cup 2026 news

Harry Kane scored twice, while Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also scored, as England beat Croatia 4-2 in their opening match of 2026.

Harry Kane scored twice in the first half as England eventually beat Croatia 4-2 To launch their attack on the World Cup in Texas.

Jude Bellingham, immediately after half-time, and substitute Marcus Rashford five minutes from time ensured a winning start for Thomas Tuchel’s side after Croatia battled back to a 2-2 draw in Wednesday’s match.

The prolific Kane put England ahead twice in the first half – once from the penalty spot – but Martin Baturina and Petar Musa scored the winner for 2018 runners-up Croatia.

With both teams shaky in defence, the second half threatened to produce another goal glut, and Bellingham needed just two minutes to put England ahead again in front of a crowd of 70,000.

England had many opportunities to increase the lead immediately after that, but they did not take advantage of them until Rashford shone.

The encounter was a repeat of the semi-final in 2018, which Croatia won 2-1 after extra time, although England have since enjoyed an advantage over one of the older teams in the North American tournament.

Thomas Tuchel’s side, bidding to hand England their first major title since 1966, got off to a nervous start in front of a packed house at the impressive, air-conditioned Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

Then came the drama. Luka Modric, Croatia’s captain, dangled his leg and caught Noni Maduejki in the penalty area.

Kane saw an unconvincing penalty kick saved by Dominik Levakovic, but French referee Clement Turpin ordered the kick to be replayed after video replay deemed that the stopper had gone off the goal line.

Torben Tuchel was once sent off in the Champions League and the English media highlighted the referee in charge of the match this week.

Bayern Munich’s predator, Kane, held his nerve for a second time, again going down to Livakovic’s left but this time in a more aggressive manner to give England the lead after 12 minutes.

Now it was all England, and Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham – favored over Morgan Rogers for the No.10 position – stepped into the attack, forcing Livakovic to smother.

Loud boos rang out during the drinks break, since the game was under a roof and not the unforgiving Texas sun.

On the half-hour, England should have been 2-0 up, as Bellingham narrowly failed to connect with Madueke’s delicious low cross.

In the 36th minute, Croatia equalized.

England gave the ball away in midfield, and Petar Sučić then left John Stones on the ground with a perfect pass to pass the ball to Baturina.

The 23-year-old met the ball for the first time and slotted it past Jordan Pickford, who handled the ball.

Zlatko Dalic’s side equalized just six minutes later when a corner kick from Declan Rice found Kane unmarked and the captain nodded home.

Captain Kane thus reached 10 goals in the World Cup, the most goals for any English player besides Gary Lineker.

Tuchel, who has made it clear that winning the World Cup is his goal, barely smiled.

Musa concluded a hectic first half and took advantage of England’s poor defense in the fifth minute of stoppage time to shoot the ball from close range, making the score 2-2.

The second half began exactly as the first ended – with a goal – as Bellingham broke unchallenged down the right and rolled the ball into the corner.

Kane and Nico O’Reilly, twice each, and Bellingham had good chances to lead 4-2 as England smashed past Croatia.

With 15 minutes left in the match and England falling behind, Croatia had several chances before Rashford secured the three points.