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Sport | Football
England vs Croatia LIVE!
England are off to an emphatic winning start at the 2026 World Cup. The Three Lions produced a superb second-half display in Dallas on Wednesday to brush aside Croatia 4-2 and make an early statement in Group L. Harry Kane put Thomas Tuchel’s side ahead after only 12 minutes, firing in a penalty after a retake was ordered following his initial miss, with goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic off his line and Josko Gvardiol also encroaching into the box.
Martin Baturina arrowed home an equaliser past Jordan Pickford against the run of play, only for Kane to then powerfully head in from a Declan Rice corner. There was still time for Croatia to level again before half-time, with Ivan Perisic brilliantly teeing up Petar Musa for a cool volley. England assistant Anthony Barry could not hide his frustration at the break and Thomas Tuchel’s rousing speech quickly inspired his side, with Bellingham cutting inside to restore their advantage once more off the post after a fine pass from Elliot Anderson.
Livakovic made a string of excellent saves to keep Croatia alive as confident England peppered his goal relentlessly during a sustained onslaught, with Marcus Rashford coming off the bench to set the seal on a memorable victory as he rolled into the bottom corner after being teed up by fellow substitute Bukayo Saka.
England vs Croatia highlights
Live updates
A brilliant second half from England, who are up and running at the 2026 World Cup with a thrilling victory.
Whatever Tuchel said at half-time certainly paid off… and then some.
Some of England’s attacking play after the break was absolutely scintillating.
There will be concerns over the goals they conceded in the first half, but there can be no doubting their firepower after that.
It’s Ghana up next in Group L in Boston next Tuesday.
Croatia meet Panama in Toronto a few hours later.
Full-time
94 mins: Some stellar late defending from Kane to prevent a needlessly nervy finish.
He gets back to make one intervention before then crucially blocking from Gvardiol inside the England six-yard box.
Exactly what you want to see from your captain.
90 mins: Into six minutes of added time in Dallas.
Guehi has replaced Stones in the England defence.
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Dallas Stadium
That is such a confident finish from Rashford, checking back inside and rolling home to make sure of a victory England do absolutely deserve.
A standing ovation as Bellingham was taken off, and rightly so. He was excellent today.
Spence makes his major tournament debut for England.
85 mins: A fantastic England goal likely seals their opening World Cup victory!
Rashford gets the early pass from Saka and totally bamboozles Stanisic before opening up his body and perfectly curling into the far bottom corner.
Superb. England’s attacking play in this second half has been spectacular.
84 mins: Now Kovacic looks to test Pickford as England retreat deeper and deeper, though his low drive is easily held by the Everton goalkeeper.
81 mins: Ex-Premier League duo Vlasic and Kramaric replace Mario Pasalic and Baturina for Croatia, who forced Pickford into a strong punch before Sucic blasted well over from distance.
Now England break and substitute Spence is denied by yet another Livakovic save.
This could be 9-2 without him.
79 mins: But not for long.
Bellingham is now making way for Djed Spence, who fits his jaw protector as he comes on.
Reece James is going into midfield, where he has played plenty for Chelsea.
77 mins: ITV are reporting that Rice looked to be limping after coming off a few minutes ago.
It had to be some sort of knock, otherwise taking him off made no sense.
Tuchel will be praying that is nothing serious.
Bellingham and Rogers – England’s No10 rivals – on now together of course.
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