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Tom Hamilton
Senior Writer

Jun 17, 2026, 06:32 PM ET

DALLAS -- England opened their Group L campaign with a dramatic 4-2 victory against Croatia.

Harry Kane's retaken 12th-minute penalty gave Thomas Tuchel's team an ideal beginning before Martin Baturina leveled on 36 minutes with a curling strike from distance.

Kane nodded in Declan Rice's corner to regain the advantage, yet Petar Musa completed a fine Croatia move to tie the scores once more in first-half stoppage time.

Jude Bellingham put England ahead again just two minutes after the restart, taking Elliot Anderson's pass and firing low across Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and into the far post.

England fashioned numerous opportunities thereafter, with Livakovic producing six saves during an outstanding five-minute period before Marcus Rashford entered from the bench to seal the win, curling home a fourth goal with five minutes left.

England next meet Ghana in Boston on June 23, the same day Croatia face Panama in Toronto.

Kane follows other big stars with two goals

Kane has joined the party. Having watched Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe all make early impacts at the World Cup, Kane's brace places him alongside the rest of the world's elite on the scoring charts.

Kane was asked Tuesday who he considers the top strikers at this tournament. He selected Mbappe and Haaland. Around the same time in Boston, Haaland faced a similar query and named Mbappe and Kane.

Kane's campaign has been outstanding for Bayern Munich, and he stated before the match in Dallas that he was prepared to transfer that form to the World Cup. Although his initial penalty was saved, he abandoned the pause in his approach on the retake to slot the ball calmly home. His header - oddly unmarked - was also executed well, planting the ball ruthlessly in the 42nd minute.

Yet Kane offers far more than goals for England. He contributes to every area of play, even dropping deep at one stage to support a kick-off routine. This element of his game has grown further at Bayern Munich, enabling him to make late, decisive runs into the box. And there he was in injury time, making a vital block on Josko Gvardiol to preserve England's two-goal lead. Once more Kane demonstrated why he is essential and stands with the other greats in this tournament. - Tom Hamilton

Are England fans in for a wild ride at this World Cup?

If we are honest, England are not usually this entertaining. There was something distinctly methodical about the close of the Gareth Southgate era, a caution shaped by England's past weaknesses.

But this encounter was chaotic at times, both negatively and positively. The balance was off, as Tuchel's assistant Anthony Barry acknowledged when interviewed at halftime: "A complicated and confusing first half from us. We played long when we should have played short, played short when we should have played long. We were not playing through the gaps."

That shifted in the second period and suddenly England appeared more dynamic, less worried about defensive frailties and more focused on troubling Croatia. To some degree, you could interpret this however you wished: England were uncertain at the back - Marc Guehi surely has a strong argument to start against Ghana after being omitted here - but very effective in spells going forward.

Wherever that mix takes them, it does not appear set to be dull. - James Olley

Bellingham's magic justifies selection as No. 10

The discussion had continued for months: Who would fill England's No. 10 role? Jude Bellingham or Morgan Rogers?

Tuchel chose Bellingham's star quality in Dallas, perhaps swayed by a strong display in England's final warmup against Costa Rica a week earlier. There is recognition that while Rogers provides greater discipline without the ball, Bellingham holds more match-winning quality (notwithstanding Rogers' prolific form for Aston Villa).

And for a spell it appeared a doubtful decision. Bellingham had one or two promising moments but he was profligate in possession during the first 45 minutes. Then, abruptly, he sparked into life in the manner only elite players manage.

Collecting Elliot Anderson's clever 47th-minute pass, Bellingham advanced, holding off Mario Pasalic before finishing low into the net. It proved the decisive moment and when Bellingham produces actions like this, all is overlooked. The debate is settled for now. - Olley

Gibbs: England had 'too much star power' for Croatia

Modric has slow start to World Cup

Croatia great Luka Modric created a slice of World Cup history on Wednesday. After Cristiano Ronaldo, he became the third outfield player over the age of 40 to feature in a World Cup. He entered this tournament short on minutes, having suffered a broken cheekbone late in the season for AC Milan, and then playing 28 minutes in their final match before joining Croatia duty.

The veteran did not appear at his sharpest against England. He was withdrawn after 57 minutes following a subdued showing. While his fellow veteran Ivan Perisic troubled England repeatedly, it was Martin Baturina who posed Croatia's chief threat in midfield. England applied firm pressure on Modric, preventing him from turning out of defence to release Croatia's attack and generally disrupting his rhythm. - Hamilton

Tuchel's finest result to date proves management skills

The ultimate test for Tuchel will arrive in the knockout stages, but part of the reason England supporters tired of Southgate - despite his impressive record - was a worry that his in-game management lacked the elite standard needed to swing tight matches their way.

Tuchel's club-level experience represented a notable advance in this respect, and the adjustments England implemented at half-time proved influential. The England players pushed higher as a unit and reduced the spaces between one another, enabling the combination play that overwhelmed Croatia at times in the second half.

England have still not defeated a top-10 nation under Tuchel - Croatia sit 11th - but this was arguably his best result so far, helped by substitutions that kept England's attack sharp, notably when Rashford scored England's fourth just 13 minutes after entering with the assist from another substitute, Bukayo Saka.

A win in the opening fixture - something England have now achieved at five successive tournaments - should afford Tuchel greater scope to rotate and maintain freshness as the event continues. - Olley

Robson: Rashford return to Manchester United would be 'difficult'

Livakovic could be Croatia's savior again

Livakovic finished by conceding four, yet Croatia might have been in deeper trouble without his reflexes and shot-stopping. There was little he could do about any of England's four goals - only the Bellingham strike was one he would regret not getting nearer to. But in the second half there was a two-minute spell in which he made five saves.

From another dangerous Rice set piece, O'Reilly directed a header goalward, only for Livakovic to palm it back into danger. He then saved the two follow-up attempts - first from Gordon and then Konsa. A minute later he reacted again, making a fine stop from a Kane effort, and then diving to block the follow-up.

Livakovic was one of Croatia's heroes at the 2022 World Cup after he saved three penalties in their round-of-16 shootout victory over Japan and then another against Brazil to reach the semifinals. He did save another penalty in Arlington, only for the referee to rule he had encroached. Livakovic will remain central to Croatia's prospects here in 2026. - Hamilton