England Stays Focused / England 4-2 Croatia

AT&T Stadium, Dallas: England opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a statement victory, beating Croatia 4-2 in a thrilling Group L encounter that saw Harry Kane score twice and move level with Gary Lineker's all-time World Cup goal record for England.

The 2018 wounds were not just soothed; they were emphatically erased. In front of a raucous crowd at the futuristic Dallas stadium, Thomas Tuchel's new-look England produced a performance of attacking verve and resilience that sent a message to the rest of the tournament.

Kane's record-equalling night

The Bayern Munich striker entered the match needing one goal to draw level with Gary Lineker's England record of 10 World Cup finals goals. By half-time, he had already matched it.

Kane's first came from the penalty spot in the 12th minute. Noni Madueke, preferred to Bukayo Saka on the right flank, drove at the Croatia defence with the kind of direct running Tuchel has demanded. Luka Modric, the 40-year-old chasing back, could only bring him down.

Up stepped Kane. His first attempt was saved by Dominik Livakovic, but the referee had already spotted the goalkeeper creeping off his line. A retake was ordered. Joe Hart, watching for BBC Sport, was emphatic: "It's tiny, it's minimal but you can see between the white of the line and the heel of Dominik Livakovic's boot, there's green. He's definitely off his line."

Kane made no mistake second time around, smashing the ball into the net at 122km/h. It was a "settler for England", as Paul Robinson put it. Wayne Rooney noted: "Harry Kane's first penalty wasn't the best... But Kane's second penalty was much better and it's great for England to be 1-0 up after 12 minutes."

It was also a milestone moment. Kane's 115th England cap drew him level with David Beckham. The captain had spoken before the match about the significance: "To reach the same number of caps [as Beckham] is a great thing for me. Beckham was a big idol of mine growing up and obviously hoping and dreaming one day that I would be in the same England shirt as him".

His second arrived just before half-time. Declan Rice swung a corner long, and Kane stole in on the penalty spot to power a downward header into the bottom left corner. Livakovic had no chance. That made it 2-1 England after Croatia had briefly drawn level.

Baturina stuns England, Musa strikes back

Croatia refused to go quietly. In the 36th minute, Petar Sucic advanced down the right and cut back for Martin Baturina, who was romping in from the flank. His first-time rising shot flew across Jordan Pickford and into the top left at 120km/h. It was an absolute belter.

England's lead was gone. The stadium fell quiet.

But Kane restored it within six minutes, and England went into the break with a 2-1 advantage.

However, the drama was far from over. In first-half stoppage time, deep into the five additional minutes, Croatia struck again. Petar Musa found the net to make it 2-2. The scores were level at the interval in a breathless first half that had everything.

Madueke the spark, Gordon adds a third

If Kane provided the finishing, Noni Madueke provided the chaos. The Arsenal winger, preferred to Bukayo Saka who was being managed due to an Achilles issue, was a constant menace down the right flank. Madueke's presence forced Croatia into conceding corners, and he looked dangerous every time he got involved. A delicious low cross into the centre nearly found Bellingham.

England's third goal came from Anthony Gordon. The Newcastle winger, starting on the left ahead of Marcus Rashford, got on the scoresheet to make it 3-2. The goal came after sustained England pressure, with Livakovic forced into a double save from Gordon's header before the winger eventually found the net.

Rashford seals it from the bench

Tuchel's squad depth proved decisive. After the second hydration break, England made a triple substitution in the 75th minute. Marcus Rashford replaced Gordon, Bukayo Saka came on for Madueke, and Morgan Rogers replaced Rice.

The fresh legs made an immediate impact. In the 86th minute, England struck on the counterattack. Quick feet from Saka created space for him to get a pass to Rashford, who scored England's fourth goal. The Manchester United forward's finish all but sealed the victory.

There was a brief moment of concern when Kane went down clutching his ankle in the 90th minute, but he was able to continue. Six minutes of added time were played, but England held firm.

Hydration breaks, heat and Tuchel's restless energy

The match was played in the air‑conditioned AT&T Stadium, but that did not stop the tournament's hydration break rules from drawing the ire of the crowd. Phil McNulty reported: "Loud boos from supporters inside Dallas Stadium when referee Clement Turpin stopped the game for the hydration break in this cool, beautifully air conditioned arena."

Tuchel himself was a picture of restless energy throughout. McNulty noted: "Something still seems to be nagging away at Thomas Tuchel. He's in regular animated dialogue with his backroom team from the edge of his technical area. He's in and out of his seat by the minutes."

The stats that tell the story

England's dominance was reflected in the numbers. They had 54.7% possession, 0.96 xG compared to Croatia's 0.17, and created far more chances. Croatia managed just one shot in the first half, but they made it count.

The result puts England top of Group L, which also contains Ghana and Panama. A perfect start for Tuchel's men.

The verdict

This was not just a win; it was a statement. England scored four goals against a Croatia side that reached the 2018 World Cup final and finished third in 2022. They showed attacking flair, defensive resilience when it mattered, and the kind of squad depth that tournament winners need.

Paul Robinson had pointed out before the match: "If England get a result today that will give Thomas Tuchel a chance to rotate his side in the next two in the heat. It's what all the managers will be thinking about. If you're to go all the way to win in the final it's eight games in 32 days."

Tuchel now has that luxury. His England side have passed their first test with flying colours. The 2018 demons have been exorcised. And the Three Lions are roaring.