⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026 · Group L
England
ENG
Full time
3-2
Croatia
CRO
2026-06-17 · Dallas Stadium, Arlington
The verdict“A five goal thriller in Arlington, and Harry Kane quietly muscled his way level with Gary Lineker in the England history books.”
The Performance Review
England kicked off their World Cup with the kind of game that gives managers grey hair and neutrals a great night. Harry Kane opened from the spot, had to take it twice after Livaković saved the first and the referee spotted encroachment, then headed in a Declan Rice corner to make it a brace. That second goal pulled him level with Gary Lineker as England's all time leading World Cup scorer, a record reached with a header from a set piece, which is about as Harry Kane as a goal can possibly get.
Croatia flatly refused to read the script. Martin Baturina levelled with a thumping strike past Pickford, and Petar Musa volleyed in a Perišić cross right on half time to make it 2-2 at the break. England eventually found the winner in the second half to take it 3-2, but nobody watching mistook this for a comfortable opener. Croatia, as ever, made England earn every single inch of it.
Who Got Burned
Croatia, who matched England punch for punch and still walked off with nothing, undone by a Kane masterclass and a refereeing call that handed him a second bite at his penalty. And Jordan Pickford, who shipped two and somehow still ended the night on the winning side.
The Bright Side
Croatia proved they are nobody's free points, and a 2-2 first half against an England side this strong says the old guard still has plenty of bite left. For England, Kane reaching Lineker's record on the opening night is exactly the kind of omen tournaments get built on.
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