ARLINGTON, Texas — In a high-octane opening match of the 2026 World Cup that delivered end-to-end drama, Harry Kane scored two first-half goals, and late strikes from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford secured a dramatic 4-2 win for England over Croatia at AT&T Stadium on Wednesday, kicking off England’s long-awaited bid for a first World Cup title since 1966.
The clash was a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final, where Croatia eliminated England 2-1 after extra time, adding an extra layer of intensity to the encounter between two top European sides. In front of 70,000 fans packed into the Dallas Cowboys’ climate-controlled domed stadium, Thomas Tuchel’s England side got off to a nervy start before the game exploded into action in the 12th minute.
A pivotal turning point came when Croatia captain Luka Modric fouled England winger Noni Madueke inside the penalty area, giving Kane a chance to put his side ahead. The Tottenham talisman’s first penalty was saved by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, but referee Clement Turpin ordered a retake after VAR review found Livakovic had stepped off his goal line ahead of the kick – a decision that drew scrutiny after the English media highlighted Turpin’s past altercation with Tuchel, which included a red card for the England manager during a Champions League match.
Kane kept his composure on his second attempt, again aiming for Livakovic’s left side, but this time buried the shot with clinical precision to open the scoring. England controlled large swathes of the game after the opening goal, with Bellingham – deployed in the number 10 role ahead of youngster Morgan Rogers – carving out multiple chances, forcing Livakovic into a critical save early on. Even the mandatory drinks break was met with boos from the crowd, who had gathered in the air-conditioned stadium far from Texas’ blistering summer heat and were eager to keep the action flowing.
Croatia drew level in the 36th minute, capitalizing on an uncharacteristic England turnover in midfield. Petar Sucic danced past England defender John Stones with clever footwork before teeing up 23-year-old Martin Baturina, who fired a first-time shot past Jordan Pickford to level the score at 1-1.
The equalizer only lasted six minutes. A Declan Rice corner found an unmarked Kane at the near post, and the England captain nodded home his second of the half. The goal brought Kane’s total World Cup tally to 10, pulling him level with Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer. In a frantic end to the first half, another lapse in England’s defense allowed Croatia striker Petar Musa to slot home from close range in first-half stoppage time, sending the two sides into the break tied 2-2.
The second half picked up exactly where the first left off, with Bellingham breaking down the right flank unmarked just two minutes after the restart, rolling a calm finish into the far corner to restore England’s lead. Tuchel’s side piled on the pressure after the go-ahead goal, with Kane, substitute Nico O’Reilly and Bellingham all missing clear chances to extend the lead.
As England sat back to protect their advantage in the final 15 minutes, Croatia carved out several good opportunities to level again, but substitute Marcus Rashford put the result beyond doubt five minutes from full time, tapping home to seal the 4-2 win and three crucial opening points for England.
The result keeps England on track in their group stage campaign, while Croatia will need to bounce back in their upcoming matches to advance from the group. For Tuchel, who has openly stated that lifting the World Cup trophy is his only goal for the tournament, the dramatic opening win offers a promising, if imperfect, start to his side’s title run.