Harry Kane scored twice and England opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Wednesday. Thomas Tuchel's side were made to work hard across a wild first half before Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford sealed the points in the second period. It was a winning start, but the performance left plenty of questions hanging in the Dallas air.
A Chaotic First Half Sets the Tone
The opening 45 minutes were breathless and, at times, alarmingly open. Kane converted from the penalty spot to give England the lead, only for Martin Baturina to level with a composed finish. Kane struck again shortly before the break to restore the advantage, but Croatia refused to fold, and Petar Musa equalised on the stroke of half-time to make it 2-2. For a side targeting the game's biggest prize, England's defensive shape was worryingly porous, and a different kind of sports spectator - someone who normally follows a lacrosse bet more than a football fixture - would have needed no prior knowledge of the sport to see the gaps Croatia were exploiting behind England's midfield.
The defensive frailties were not subtle. Croatia were permitted to build too freely through the lines, and the Three Lions' back-line struggled with movement in behind. France and Argentina, waiting elsewhere in the draw, will have watched that first-half footage with considerable interest.
Bellingham and Rashford Settle the Contest
England regrouped at the interval and Bellingham provided the decisive moment early in the second half, driving forward and finishing with the authority that has come to define his game at the highest level. Croatia, who had matched England's energy in the first half, offered far less after the restart, and Rashford put the result beyond doubt with a late fourth. The margin of victory ultimately flattered England, but the individual quality in the final third is undeniable. When this squad clicks, they are capable of hurting anyone.
Kane's Record, and the Bigger Picture
Kane's brace carried historical weight. The Bayern Munich striker moved level with Gary Lineker as England's all-time leading scorer at World Cup finals with 10 goals. It is a milestone that speaks to extraordinary consistency across major tournaments, and Kane will be determined to claim the record outright as the competition progresses. For Tuchel, though, the priority heading into the group stage is clear: shore up the defence without sacrificing the attacking fluency that produced four goals in a single match - a tally that Brazil, Spain and Portugal had not managed at the point of this result in the 2026 competition.
England face Ghana in their next Group L fixture on June 23, when a win would secure a place in the knockout round. Croatia, now needing a result to stay on track, take on Panama on the same date. The gap in squad quality is significant, but Croatia's resilience - underlined by their relentless first-half display here - means they will not disappear quietly from this tournament.
