▲ England's Harry Kane celebrates his goal
England, seeking to reclaim the World Cup summit for the first time in 60 years, got off to a smooth start in their first group stage match of the 2026 World Cup, defeating Croatia 4-2 in an eight-year rematch, led by a brace from striker Harry Kane (Bayern Munich).
England defeated Croatia 4-2 in their opening Group L match of the World Cup on Thursday (KST) at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
England slightly led in possession 52% to 48%, but secured a complete victory by dominating in shots with 22 (11 on target) to Croatia's 10 (5 on target).
The two nations drew significant attention as they faced each other in a rematch in their opening group stage match of the North American tournament, eight years after their semifinal clash at the 2018 Russia World Cup.
Eight years ago, Croatia defeated England 2-1 in extra time to reach the final, pouring cold water on England's hopes of reclaiming the title for the first time in 52 years since their 1966 triumph.
The match also captured attention as a showdown between England's "Three Lions" striker Kane and Croatia's veteran captain Luka Modric (AC Milan), who overcame a facial fracture just before the tournament for his "World Cup last dance." Kane scored the opening goal.
In the 9th minute of the first half, right after Declan Rice's (Arsenal) right corner kick, Noni Madueke (Arsenal) was brought down by Modric's right foot as Modric tried to clear the ball just as Madueke was about to control it near the right side of the penalty area. The referee immediately awarded a penalty kick.
Kane stepped up as the penalty taker and hesitated slightly before shooting to throw off the goalkeeper's timing, but the ball slowed down as it headed toward the right side of the goal and was saved by Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
However, after a video assistant referee (VAR) review, the referee ruled that Livakovic's foot had left the goal line before Kane's shot and ordered the penalty to be retaken.
Taking the penalty again in the 12th minute, Kane quickly aimed for the same right corner without any hesitation this time. Livakovic dived in the opposite direction, resulting in England's opening goal.
With this goal, Kane (2018, 2022, 2026) became only the second English player in history, after David Beckham (1998, 2002, 2006), to score in three consecutive World Cup tournaments.
Croatia did not crumble easily.
In the 36th minute, Croatia leveled the score when Martin Baturina shook England's net with a brilliant right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty arc.
With the match turning into a high-scoring battle, England took a 2-1 lead again in the 42nd minute when Kane rushed to the front of the penalty area and scored a header from Rice's right corner kick.
Completing his brace, Kane recorded his 10th career World Cup goal in his third World Cup appearance, tying Gary Lineker's record for the most World Cup goals by an English player (10 goals).
Notably, Kane scored half of his 10 goals (5 goals) from penalty kicks, surpassing Eusebio (Portugal), Rob Rensenbrink (England), Gabriel Batistuta, and Lionel Messi (both of Argentina, all with 4 goals) to become the all-time leader in World Cup penalty kick goals.
However, Croatia succeeded in equalizing again late in first-half stoppage time with brilliant link-up play.
Croatia finished the first half 2-2 when Petar Musa (Dallas) scored an equalizer with a right-footed volley after Ivan Perisic (Eindhoven) headed down a pass from Mario Pasalic (Atalanta) near the penalty arc.
England seized the momentum just two minutes into the second half when Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) scored after breaking through the right flank, and Bellingham's goal became the match-winner.
Leading 3-2, England continued their onslaught, and Croatia subbed off a tired Modric in the 13th minute of the second half.
With momentum on their side, England sealed the two-goal victory when Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), who came on as a substitute in the 27th minute of the second half, scored with a right-footed shot from near the front of the penalty area in the 40th minute of the second half.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.