England opened its 2026 World Cup path with a bang, taking down Croatia 4-2 in a matchup of top sides.
Harry Kane showed why he’s one of the best scorers in the world, completing the first-half brace with a penalty kick goal and an impressive header off the assist from Declan Rice. The Three Lions pulled away with the lead early in the second half, courtesy of Jude Bellingham’s 47th-minute strike.
England then officially put the match to bed with a goal from Marcus Rashford in the 84th minute. Rashford, who entered for Anthony Gordon in the 70th minute, made a filthy cut-back move for the score, even as he deals with an uncertain club situation between Manchester United an Barcelona.
Croatia was largely outplayed for most of the match, especially by England’s high-powered offense attack. However, two timely goals from Martin Baturina and Peter Musa late in the first half kept it close early on.
The Croats don’t have much room for error moving forward in Group L, while it’s mission accomplished for England, who have World Cup title aspirations.
Here are the highlights from England’s win:
England fights off two timely goals by Croatia, and rides its explosive offensive performance to a 4-2 win over the Croads. Mission accomplished for England to open the 2026 World Cup here in Arlington, Texas.
Bukayo Saka’s run up the right flank leads to a wide-open path for Marcus Rashford, who makes a filthy cut back before sinking a goal to extend England’s lead to 4-2. England fans were — as expected — hyped up for Rashford’s goal.
There are 70,389 fans in attendance for England-Croatia, the PA announcer just said. It’s officially a sell-out crowd.
Croatia hasn’t had many scoring chances in the second half, but it nearly ties it at 3-3 with a shot on goal from Marco Pasalic that’s saved by Jordan Pickford.
England has outplayed Croatia for most of the match but the Croats are still aiming to earn a point in the group.
Star forwards Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford are entering for England, replacing Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon, respectively. England’s depth up front is virtually unmatched at the World Cup.
The fans are loving “Mr. Brightside” during the hydration break. So am I, to be fair.
England is starting to slow down its pace with a 3-2 lead as we approach the final hydration break in the second half.
Dallas Cowboys legends Dez Bryant and Emmitt Smith were just shown on the big screen here in Arlington, and were met with a huge applause from fans. Not sure if many England or Croatians fans know of the football stars, but who’s to say.
Croatia captain Luka Modric is being subbed out for Mateo Kovacic early in the second half. We’ll see if the 40-year-old midfielder’s minutes increase at all throughout the rest of the tournament.
Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic is all over the field right now. He just saved at least a few goals from England, as its attack is giving the Croats all sorts of fits in the second half.
England already has eight corner kicks to Croatia’s one so far. The Three Lions have been quite good on set pieces, too.
Jude Bellingham has another chance, but his shot is saved by Dominik Livakovic, leading to another England corner kick, which nearly leads to a goal by Nico O’Reilly.
Croatia is lucky to only be down 3-2 right not with England’s aggressive attack to start the second half.
Jude Bellingham finds a crease down the right side and gives England back the lead with a left-footed strike in the 47th minute. Defense optional here today at the World Cup in Arlington.
Elliot Anderson awarded the assist.
England and Croatia are back out for the second half. Here’s to another 45 minutes of intense soccer.
FC Dallas’ Peter Musa was visibly emotional after scoring his first career World Cup goal for his home country. It doesn’t hurt it was right down the road from his MLS club team, either.
This game has been crazy. Croatia strikes back again, this time on a left-footed kick from Petar Musa just before halftime. Ivan Perisic headed a pass midair from Mario Pasalic to a driving Musa in an impressive sequence for the Croats.
Make it 2-2 heading into the break.
There will be five minutes of extra time in the first half.
Wow. Just a few minutes later, England responds. Harry Kane scores his second goal of the afternoon on a header from Declan Rice on a gorgeous corner kick.
That’s why Kane and Rice are two of the best in the world.
Martin Baturina ties it for Croatia on a beautiful strike. Baturina set up the goal on an entry pass to Petar Sucic, who passed it back to Baturina.
Noni Madueke makes a beautiful cross to a slashing Jude Bellingham, but it doesn’t lead to a goal for England. The England attack has played through Madueke on the right multiple times now in the first half.
Bellingham was down briefly in the box but has remained in the game.
Harry Kane is up to nine career goals at the World Cup in 12 appearances. He scored six goals in 2018, when he won the Golden Boot of the tournament, and scored twice in 2022.
It’s hydration break time at Dallas Stadium.
England is in command early. It has held possession 55% of the game so far, compared to Croatia’s 28% mark.
England winger Noni Madueke looks good in the early going. He drew the foul from Luka Modric to set up Harry Kane’s penalty kick, and he’s started a few offensive chances from the right flank so far.
Harry Kane is the first player in World Cup history to score five penalty kicks in the tournament’s history, excluding shootouts.
It’s hard to block a Harry Kane penalty kick twice. England takes a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute as his shot hits the back right of the net.
It’s a brutal mistake by captain Luka Modric of Croatia.
Harry Kane’s penalty kick is originally blocked, but he gets a retake after replay shows Dominik Livakovic left his feet too early.
Declan Rice sends a corner kick, which then leads to a foul by Luka Modric on Noni Madueke in the box. England is going to get a penalty kick here.
Croatia gets the early corner kick. Ivan Perisic finds Josip Sutalo, who has a decent chance but his attempted volley sails way over the top of the goal.
And we’re off. England-Croatia is underway from Arlington, Texas.
Dallas Stadium is packed, with a large contingent of both England and Croatia fans. “God Save The King” was definitely louder, though, during both countries’ national anthem.
FC Dallas forward Petar Musa is introduced in Croatia’s starting lineup, and he’s welcomed to strong cheers from his hometown crowd in Arlington, Texas.
Legendary Croatian midfielder Luke Modric is the fourth-oldest player at the World Cup in 2026, and is one of seven players 40 years old or older.
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner is 40 years old, as he was born on Sept. 9, 1985. The Croatia captain is also making his fifth World Cup appearance, and is coming off a third-place finish in 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2018.
The game is airing on Fox, but you can also watch on Fubo or the Fox One App. Spanish language broadcasts are available on Telemundo and Peacock.
Jordan Pickford; Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, John Stones, Reece James, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke
Seth Vertelney: England 1-1 Croatia
England has a tendency to stumble at least one game in the group stage at the World Cup. This match against a veteran-laden Croatia side may be this year’s version.
Jon Arnold: England 2-0 Croatia
Croatia will need more than its traditional World Cup magic to match the feats of the past several tournaments, but this reads like a great start for the Three Lions.
Jesse Yomtov: England 1 – 1 Croatia
England’s players are exhausted after a long season and get frustrated by this Croatian unit’s tactical masterxlass.
Victoria Hernandez: England 2 – 0 Croatia
The Three Lions are coming into the tournament hungry. Harry Kane will lead the way in the first step of a deep run for England.
The matchup kicks off at 4:00 PM ET.
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham), John Stones (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Forwards: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona on loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Goalkeepers: Dominik Livaković (Dinamo), Dominik Kotarski (Copenhagen), Ivor Pandur (Hull City)
Defenders: Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Ćaleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Šutalo (Ajax), Josip Stanišić (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongračić (Fiorentina), Martin Erlić (Midtjylland), Luka Vušković (Hamburger SV)
Midfielders: Luka Modrić (Milan), Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta), Nikola Vlašić (Torino), Luka Sučić (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Kristijan Jakić (Augsburg), Petar Sučić (Inter), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka)
Forwards: Ivan Perišić (PSV Eindhoven), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pašalić (Orlando City), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Igor Matanović (Freiburg)
England won its only World Cup in 1966.
Croatia has never won the World Cup, but finished runner-up in 2018, losing to France in the final.
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