England’s new era begins with convincing Croatia win

TDT | Manama

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England sent out a clear message of intent at the FIFA World Cup 2026, producing a dominant second-half showing to defeat Croatia 4–2 in an absorbing Group L encounter.

The Three Lions were forced to respond twice in the opening period after a Harry Kane double, but second-half strikes from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford ultimately secured a deserved victory.

England made a shaky start at Dallas Stadium but were gifted a ninth-minute penalty when Noni Madueke went down following contact from Luka Modric as the Croatian captain attempted to clear the danger.

Kane took responsibility from the spot but saw his hesitant effort kept out by Dominik Livakovic. However, with Joško Gvardiol encroaching and the goalkeeper adjudged to have strayed off his line, the kick was ordered to be retaken. The England skipper made no mistake the second time around.

Croatia, though, responded in spectacular fashion to draw level nine minutes before half-time, as Martin Baturina brilliantly curled Petar Sucic’s cutback into the top-left corner, beyond the reach of Jordan Pickford.

England reclaimed the advantage six minutes later when Kane climbed highest in the box to power home Declan Rice’s corner. Yet Croatia responded once more deep into first-half stoppage time, as Petar Musa volleyed Ivan Perišić’s deft headed assist into the net to send the sides into the break level at 2–2.

The match continued at a relentless pace after the restart, and England struck again just 85 seconds into the second half. Jude Bellingham latched onto Elliott Anderson’s raking pass down the right and drove into the box before rifling a finish in off the left post.

Croatia still carried a threat in the closing stages, but England added a fourth five minutes from time through substitutes Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford. Rashford cut inside Josip Stanišić before calmly rolling the ball into the bottom-right corner.

England’s last major tournament triumph remains the 1966 World Cup, and under German head coach Thomas Tuchel they will be determined to end that long wait for glory.

They next face Ghana on Tuesday at 11pm in Boston, while Croatia meet Panama a day later in Toronto. All times are Bahrain time.