Harry Kane scores twice as England tops Croatia 4-2
The Guardian Sport • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 17, 2026, 10:20 PM
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
England secured a 4-2 victory against Croatia in their World Cup opener on June 17 in Texas. Harry Kane netted two goals in the first half, one from a retaken penalty, but Croatia equalized twice through Martin Baturina and Petar Musa. The second half saw Jude Bellingham regain the lead for England shortly after halftime, followed by a late goal from Marcus Rashford to seal the win. The matchup mirrored their 2018 semi-final, where Croatia emerged victorious.
- •England leads 4-2 after goals from Kane, Bellingham, and Rashford.
- •Croatia managed to equalize twice before falling behind again.
- •The match took place at the home of the Dallas Cowboys in front of 70,000 fans.
- •Kane reached 10 career World Cup goals, tying with Gary Lineker.
- 11:32 PMThe Guardian Sport — Harry Kane reveals half-time Tuchel pep-talk inspired England to victory over Croatia
- 11:18 PMESPN — Kane leads England to statement win over Croatia
- 11:13 PMYahoo Sports — Kane breaks penalty record at the World Cup in England win 🎥
- 10:52 PMYahoo Sports — Player of the Match! Harry Kane leads England past Croatia
- 10:41 PMYahoo Sports — Harry Kane scores twice as England make winning start to World Cup
- 10:09 PMYahoo Sports — Kane scores twice as England beat Croatia to launch World Cup charge
"Storming second-half display comes after coach’s speech ‘We came out full gas and they couldn’t live with it’ Harry Kane revealed that a half-time speech from Thomas Tuchel inspired England to victory in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Croatia equalised twice before half-time after Kane had equalled Gary Lineker’s record for goals scored by an England player at the World Cup finals with a penalty and a goal from a Declan Rice corner. But a much-improved performance in the second half saw Jude Bellingham re-establish England’s lead before Marcus Rashford came off the bench to wrap up the victory late on. Continue reading...
"Harry Kane’s brace helped England to a pulsating 4-2 victory against Croatia as Thomas Tuchel’s side made a breathless start to their quest for World Cup glory on Wednesday. The back-to-back European Championship finalists are among the favourites for glory in North America and played out a helter-skelter Group L opener at the Dallas Cowboys’ remarkable AT&T Stadium.
"Harry Kane scored twice in the first half as England eventually saw off Croatia 4-2 to launch their World Cup title assault in Texas on Wednesday.Kane and Nico O'Reilly twice each, and Bellingham, had good chances for a 4-2 lead as England pummelled the Croatia goal.
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportJun 17, 2026, 11:32 PMHarry Kane reveals half-time Tuchel pep-talk inspired England to victory over Croatia
Storming second-half display comes after coach’s speech ‘We came out full gas and they couldn’t live with it’ Harry Kane revealed that a half-time speech from Thomas Tuchel inspired England to victory in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Croatia equalised twice before half-time after Kane had equalled Gary Lineker’s record for goals scored by an England player at the World Cup finals with a penalty and a goal from a Declan Rice corner. But a much-improved performance in the second half saw Jude Bellingham re-establish England’s lead before Marcus Rashford came off the bench to wrap up the victory late on. Continue reading...
- ESPNJun 17, 2026, 11:18 PMKane leads England to statement win over Croatia
Harry Kane's brace helped England to a pulsating 4-2 victory against Croatia as Thomas Tuchel's side made a breathless start to their quest for World Cup glory.
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 11:13 PMKane breaks penalty record at the World Cup in England win 🎥
England and Croatia delivered another great match on Wednesday (17) in the opening round of the World Cup group stage.The English side, coached by Thomas Tuchel, won the match played in Texas 4-2.Harr...
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 10:52 PMPlayer of the Match! Harry Kane leads England past Croatia
FC Bayern striker Harry Kane enters the Golden Boot race with a brace.
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 10:41 PMHarry Kane scores twice as England make winning start to World Cup
Harry Kane’s brace helped England to a pulsating 4-2 victory against Croatia as Thomas Tuchel’s side made a breathless start to their quest for World Cup glory on Wednesday. The back-to-back European Championship finalists are among the favourites for glory in North America and played out a helter-skelter Group L opener at the Dallas Cowboys’ remarkable AT&T Stadium.
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 10:09 PMKane scores twice as England beat Croatia to launch World Cup charge
Harry Kane scored twice in the first half as England eventually saw off Croatia 4-2 to launch their World Cup title assault in Texas on Wednesday.Kane and Nico O'Reilly twice each, and Bellingham, had good chances for a 4-2 lead as England pummelled the Croatia goal.
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