England Beat Croatia 4-2 in Chaotic World Cup Opener — But Don’t Let the Scoreline Fool You
Dallas, Texas — Harry Kane scored twice, broke a England World Cup record, and Thomas Tuchel’s side still nearly bottled it. England opened their World Cup campaign with a nervy 4-2 victory over Croatia on Wednesday, a result that was far messier than the final score suggests — and far more exciting for it.
Kane Does What Kane Does
England’s captain put his side ahead in the 12th minute from the penalty spot — but only after a retake. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved Kane’s first effort, only for video review to catch him off his line. Kane stepped up again and buried it, this time with conviction.
He wasn’t done. In the 42nd minute, Kane powered a Declan Rice corner into the net with a clinical header. That goal tied Gary Lineker’s record of 10 World Cup goals for England — and Kane became only the second England player, after David Beckham, to score at three different FIFA World Cups.
Croatia Refused to Lie Down
Croatia — the same side that humiliated England in the 2018 semifinal in Moscow — showed exactly why they are never to be underestimated. Martin Baturina pulled one back in the 36th minute after a slick one-two with Petar Sucic, beating Jordan Pickford at his near post.
Then, right before halftime, Petar Musa equalised at 2-2 after Ivan Perisic headed the ball into his path. England walked into the dressing room level — and with serious questions to answer about a defence that looked shaky, jittery, and exposed.
Second Half: A Different England
Whatever Tuchel said at halftime worked. Jude Bellingham — relentless, electric, and clearly operating on a different level — drove into the box just two minutes after the restart and fired into the far corner to restore England’s lead.
Croatia’s Livakovic kept his side in it with a string of stunning saves, but England’s pressure was suffocating. In the 85th minute, substitutes Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford combined, with Rashford slotting home to seal the win and kill the game dead.
Tuchel Keeps It Real
The England manager did not oversell the performance. “We played against a top opponent. We showed a bit of nerves,” Tuchel said post-match. “There are still things to improve. You need to grow into a tournament.”
He’s right. England’s attacking play was relentless and dangerous. Their defensive structure was anything but. Two goals conceded against a Croatia side that no longer has peak Luka Modric — who was reduced to fouling Noni Madueke in the box to give away the penalty — is a warning sign that cannot be ignored.
What This Means Going Forward
England sit top of Group L after matchday one. Their next fixtures:
Win both and England are through. But if they defend like this against stronger opposition in the knockout rounds, no scoreline — however flattering — will save them.
