England’s Harry Kane, right, tries to shoot on goal as Croatia’s Josip Sutalo tries to make a save during the World Cup Group L soccer match between England and Croatia in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. | Image source: AP
England got 2026 FIFA World Cup The season got off to a winning start with a 4-2 win over Croatia on Wednesday (17 June 2026) thanks to two goals from captain Harry Kane and one each from Jude Bellingham and substitute Marcus Rashford.
Kane opened the scoring from a converted penalty kick in the 12th minute before Croatia equalized 24 minutes later when Martin Baturina took advantage of errors in England’s midfield and fired a shot that Jordan Pickford blocked but was unable to stop.
Kane then equaled Gary Lineker’s England World Cup record of 10 goals when he broke free in the penalty area and headed home Declan Rice’s corner kick in the 42nd minute.
But Croatia made it 2-2 in the fifth minute of extra time at the end of the first half when Petar Musa received a header pass from Ivan Perisic and slotted the ball past Pickford.
Two minutes after half-time, Bellingham sprinted half the length of the pitch after being set free by Elliot Anderson and fired a low shot that bounced off the post before a counter-attack from Rashford in the 85th minute sealed the victory, leaving England in a good position in Group L, which includes Ghana and Panama, who they play later on Wednesday.
Published – 18 June 2026 at 03:48 AM IST
