England vs Croatia FIFA World Cup 2026 LIVE: Harry Kane brace, goals from Bellingham, Rashford win it for ENG

England have registered a comfortable win to kickoff their FIFA World Cup campaign. They defeated Croatia 4-2 after relying mostly on counterattacks. It's all about keeping up with the momentum now. 

Six minutes added. England captain Harry Kane seems to be in a bit of discomfort, as he is holding his ankle. However, he continues. 

Marc Guehi comes in for John Stones. 

Marcus Rashford scores the fourth goal for England. A counter-attack that found Rashford in the wide space, as the Manchester United winger reached the box in time and controlled the ball well to drag it past Livakovic. Thomas Tuchel is elated. 

Croatia are currently keeping the majority of the possession, but without much of a threat. They shot one from distance in the 84th minute of the game, but easy picking for Pickford. Croatia are pushing for a late equaliser but nothing concrete at the moment. 

Jude Bellingham is subbed for Jyed Spence, who finished the Premier League season with a broken jaw. 

Stanisic’s header back to Livakovic lacks real power, inviting Rashford to try and pounce ahead of the Croatia keeper, but he just can’t get there in time. England are keeping up with the pressure. 

Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon walk out. Morgan Rogers, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka come in. 

The referee has called for a hydration break. Tuchel is talking to Jude Bellingham. Morrgan-Rogers is warming up. 

18 shots

10 shots on target

Six big chances

2.4 xG

Mateo Kovacic comes in for Luka Modric. 

How has that stayed out?! England are looking dangerous from set pieces again as O’Reilly meets the corner, but Livakovic produces a strong save. Kane then tries to force it home from close range, but a mix of the Croatia goalkeeper and defenders throw themselves in the way to keep the ball out. Just a minute later, the forward once again had a brilliant chance, but Livakovic held his fort again. Brilliant from Croatia keeper. 

Declan Rice had a brilliant chance but failed to convert it after a brilliant save from Livakovic. 

England defender Nico O'Reilly missed an easy chance to make it 4-2. He almost made it, but the ball went wide. Panic signs for Croatia. 

Jude Bellingham scores for England. A brilliant run from the Real Madrid midfield and he converts it immediately after the restart. He celebrates with arms wide open. England lead 3-2. 

Croatia start the second half. Both teams would hope to keep up with the momentum, but maybe be more compact defensively. 

"The concern is that Croatia have had two attacks against us and they have scored two goals. England looked like they had the game by the scruff of the neck. The one thing I did not want is for the defence to look vulnerable, and they are going in at half time of the first game having conceded two goals," said Neville. 

England winger Anthony Gordon just had nine touches in the first half. That's poor, to say the least. 

Croatia enjoyed most of the possession in the first half. Ahead of the game, there were plenty of talks regarding their net age, with Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic among others being slightly on the older note. However, when it comes to their performance on the pitch, that was a complete show. 

Petar Musa settles the score for Croatia. What a brilliant goal to end the first half. Perisic found room for him in the box and Musa was smart enough to finish it. This game is cooking!

With half-time approaching, Bellingham draws a foul in a promising position, just outside the Croatia penalty area. Reece James attempts a long shot, but it hit Luka Modric as the chance goes begging. 

Harry Kane puts England ahead against Croatia. No one marked the Bayern Munich forward in the corner, who made room for himself and converted it in a rather comfortable manner. Kane scored his 10th FIFA World Cup goal now. What a player and in some form!

M Baturina's rocket strike helps Croatia script a comeback against England. The Como midfielder's stunning shot left Jordan Pickford stunned as his diving effort went in vain. England - 1, Croatia - 1 in the 37th minute. 

England's counter-attack could have extended their lead in Dallas. Noni Madueke once again had the ball and ran the left flank and placed it nicely in the box to finish it. However, Jude Bellinham failed to reach in time to shoot the low cross from the Arsenal player. He called for a penalty, but nothing from the referee. 

Croatia are having control of the game and they are close to England's box and playing around it, but no concrete opportunity so far in the first 30 minutes. They are simply keeping possession of the ball as England wait for their chances. 

The Hydration break has been called in the first half. Not much to separate the two sides, other than the goal. Will it prove to be a costly mistake from Luka Modric? Only time will tell. 

Both teams are playing open football at the moment. It has been end-to-end so far. Croatia pushing for an equaliser, while England's focus has been to control the tempo of the game, but Croatia have been successful so far in that department. 

Harry Kane finally converts from the second penalty kick. England take an early lead in the 12th minute. England in jubilation. 

Harry Kane missed the penalty but there's a VAR check concluded that the goalkeeper was ahead of his mark. Kane to take the penalty again. 

Luka Modric's foul on Noni Madueke in the penalty box helped England earn a penalty. Harry Kane to take it. 

England captain Kane gets his first chance to spin and pick out a pass after being played in by Madueke in midfield, but the forward completely miscues his attempt. A scrappy start overall from Tuchel’s side so far. They try to control the midfield at the moment. 

Perisic swings in a left-footed delivery and picks out Sutalo at the far post, but the Ajax defender’s volley flies well over the crossbar. A decent opening for Croatia, but they can’t make it count.

The match between England and Croatia begins in Dallas. The Three Lions are attacking from left to right, while Croatia are going from right to left. England to start the proceedings. 

England players are in arms as they sing the national anthem. It will be followed by Croatia's national anthem. 

Luka Modric is wearing a “legacy” badge on his sleeve tonight. The special patches have been introduced for this tournament, with designs set to be later featured in Topps trading cards. Alongside the “legacy” badges for players who have appeared at five or more World Cups, there are also “Golden Glove” patches for past winners, as well as “Golden Boot” versions, like the one seen on Harry Kane’s sleeve tonight.

Elliot Anderson becomes the first Nottingham Forest player to feature for England at a major tournament since Stuart Pearce in the Euro ’96 semi-final against Germany.

Harry Kane is making his 115th England appearance, moving past Steven Gerrard (114) and drawing level with David Beckham in joint-third on the all-time list, with only Peter Shilton (125) and Wayne Rooney (120) ahead of him.

Jude Bellingham also makes history, becoming the youngest European player ever to appear at four major tournaments, aged just 22 years and 353 days.

England have breezed through World Cup qualifying, winning every match without conceding a single goal. However, in their two most recent tests against ‘competitive’ opposition over the past year, Senegal and Japan, they came up short, losing both encounters. Croatia may lean heavily on experience, but they will still offer a stern examination of England’s World Cup credentials.

Dominik Livakovic, Josko Gvardiol, Luka Vuskovic, Josip Sutalo, Ivan Perisic, Luka Modric, Petar Sucic, Josip Stanisic, Martin Baturina, Mario Pasalic, Petar Musa

Jordan Pickford, Reece James, John Stones, Erik Konsa, Nico O'Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane

Hello and welcome to the coverage of the blockbuster clash between England and Croatia from Dallas. Both teams have announced their playing XIs. It's a repeat of the 2018 semi-final, where Croatia beat England to progress to the final. Can they repeat the history or England will finally have their revenge? Stay tuned.