England 4-2 Croatia: Kane first-half double puts Three Lions on course for win | OneFootball

Harry Kane scored twice in England’s 4-2 win against Croatia in Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, moving level with Gary Lineker as the Three Lions’ all-time top goalscorer in the tournament.

The former Tottenham forward converted an early penalty at the second attempt after encroachment from the Croatian goalkeeper, but England were pegged back when Martin Baturina levelled from the edge of the box.

Kane restored England’s lead in the 42nd minute with a thunderous header from the edge of the box but the first-half drama was not over there, as Petar Musa slotted home a last-gasp finish before the break.

But Thomas Tuchel’s team talk worked wonders, with Jude Bellingham needing just 85 seconds to send England ahead for the third time – and they were able to cling onto their lead this time, adding to the scoreline with Marcus Rashford’s late effort to complete a 4-2 win in Dallas.

As it happened

England started their Group L clash well at the Dallas Stadium, backed by a sizeable travelling contingent that certainly made themselves heard.

And they looked to be handed a reason to celebrate early on in the first half, as Harry Kane’s deflected strike won a corner that was swung in by Declan Rice.

It was met by Ezri Konsa, and while he wasn’t able to turn it goalwards, he was able to play it into the feet of Noni Madueke, who was fouled by veteran midfielder Luka Modric inside the box.

Kane stepped up to take the resulting penalty, and while his attempt was saved by Dominik Livakovic, the referee ordered that it be retaken after spotting encroachment by both the goalkeeper and Josko Gvardiol.

The former Tottenham forward made no mistake on his second attempt.

And while England looked defensively shaky at times, they came remarkably close to doubling their lead with 21 minutes played when Jude Bellingham ventured forwards from his own half – but the Real Madrid midfielder’s decision to go solo, rather than squaring for Noni Madueke, proved costly as the chance went begging.

Madueke had been a particularly lively figure throughout the first half and threatened to tee up Bellingham for his first of the tournament on the half-hour mark, though the Brummie couldn’t quite stretch far enough to latch onto his cross at the far post.

But England were dealt an agonising blow when Croatia – with one of their first real attacks of note – levelled the scoreline, pouncing after Bellingham lost possession in midfield and steering a long ball over the top of the defence that ultimately allowed Petar Sucic to roll back for Martin Baturina to thump home from the edge of the box.

That seemingly opened the floodgates in what can only be described as a chaotic end to the half, as Kane turned home from a Rice corner to move level with Gary Lineker as England’s all-time top goalscorer at the FIFA World Cup [10] before a dinked ball allowed Petar Musa to drag Croatia level once again in the dying seconds of stoppage time.

To say that Thomas Tuchel did not look best pleased at the break would be the understatement of the century, but his players seemed to take note of his half-time team talk and needed less than two minutes to make amends.

Bellingham, having failed to get on the end of Madueke’s cross in the first half, surged down the right flank and unleashed a shot from a tight angle just 85 seconds into the second half, squeezing past Livakovic to restore England’s lead.

And England could have had a few more, too. Nico O’Reilly, Anthony Gordon and Kane all saw efforts hoofed away from danger by Livakovic in a frenetic spell just before the hour mark, as the Croatian shotstopper became seemingly impenetrable between the sticks.

But Livakovic was bettered eventually by substitute Marcus Rashford, who capped off a well-worked move with a composed finish in the 85th minute after being played in by Bukayo Saka.

England now turn their attention to next Tuesday’s meeting with Ghana, while Croatia will look to get points on the board when they face Panama.