England v Croatia: World Cup 2026
England started their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas. Harry Kane scored twice, while Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford added second-half goals. England now lead Group L before facing Ghana today.
What changed
New details confirm the match location in Dallas and the specific players who scored alongside Harry Kane.
Live updates
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England Top Group L After Beating Croatia 4-2
confidence 90%England started their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas. Harry Kane scored twice, while Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford added second-half goals. England now lead Group L before facing Ghana today.
What's confirmed:
- England defeated Croatia 4-2 in their opening World Cup 2026 match.
- Harry Kane scored two goals in the win over Croatia.
- Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford scored second-half goals against Croatia.
- The match between England and Croatia took place in Dallas.
- England currently top Group L.
Still unconfirmed:
- Bukayo Saka replaced Noni Madueke in the 72nd minute during the Croatia match.
- England will play Ghana on 23 June at Boston Stadium.
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England Prepare for Ghana After Croatia Victory
confidence 100%England opened their World Cup 2026 campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia on 17 June. Harry Kane scored two goals to tie Gary Lineker as the team's all-time leading World Cup goalscorer. England will face Ghana on 23 June at Boston Stadium.
What's confirmed:
- England defeated Croatia 4-2 on 17 June 2026.
- Harry Kane scored twice against Croatia.
- Kane tied Gary Lineker as England's all-time leading goalscorer at the World Cup.
- England and Ghana play their Group L match on 23 June at Boston Stadium.
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England Beat Croatia 4-2 in World Cup Opener
confidence 100%England started their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia on 17 June 2026. Harry Kane scored twice to match Gary Lineker as England's joint-highest tournament scorer. The team now prepares for a second group-stage match against Ghana.
What's confirmed:
- England defeated Croatia 4-2 in their Group L opener on 17 June 2026.
- Harry Kane scored two goals, matching Gary Lineker's record of 10 World Cup goals as England's joint-highest scorer in tournament history.
- Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford scored in the second half to secure the victory.
- Martin Baturina and Petar Musa scored for Croatia.
- Thomas Tuchel managed England for the opening match.
Still unconfirmed:
- Harry Kane and Declan Rice are expected to be available for the match against Ghana following injury concerns.
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England defeat Croatia 4-2 in World Cup opener
confidence 100%England opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas. The match saw England secure a win against the 2018 finalists. Thomas Tuchel managed the English side for the tournament start.
What's confirmed:
- England defeated Croatia 4-2.
- The match took place in Dallas.
- Thomas Tuchel is the manager of the England side.
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England crush Croatia 4-2 in World Cup 2026 opener; Kane ties scoring record
confidence 98%England defeated Croatia 4-2 in their World Cup 2026 opener, with Harry Kane scoring twice and Jude Bellingham adding to a late surge. Croatia fought back twice but England’s second-half dominance secured the win. The match marked a strong start for Gareth Southgate’s side, though questions remain over Bukayo Saka’s late selection. Viewership for the game was overshadowed by the USMNT’s record-breaking ratings in their earlier win.
What's confirmed:
- England defeated Croatia 4-2 in their World Cup 2026 Group L opener in Dallas, with goals from Harry Kane (twice), Jude Bellingham, and Marcus Rashford.
- Harry Kane’s two-goal performance tied a historic England World Cup scoring record in a single match.
- Croatia twice equalized before England’s superior second-half display secured the victory.
- The match was described as an eventful and exciting game throughout.
- Thomas Tuchel’s Croatia side began their World Cup campaign against England in Dallas.
Still unconfirmed:
- Bukayo Saka’s late selection for the match remains a topic of discussion among pundits and fans.
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England vs Croatia: World Cup 2026 kicks off with TV records, Ronaldo’s pressure, and Saka’s late call
confidence 95%England opened its World Cup campaign against Croatia in a tightly contested Group L opener, while viewership surged across the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal broke a World Cup record in their opener, but England’s squad faces questions over Bukayo Saka’s late selection. The USMNT’s Paraguay win set a new ratings benchmark, overshadowing the Three Lions’ match.
What's confirmed:
- England fielded Noni Madueke and Jude Bellingham in the starting XI against Croatia, with Bukayo Saka named as a substitute in a late decision.
- The USMNT’s 2-0 win over Paraguay drew its most-watched telecast ever, averaging over 18 million viewers in the US.
- World Cup 2026’s first 12 matches saw a +152% surge in viewership compared to the previous edition’s early games.
- Cristiano Ronaldo broke the all-time World Cup record for most appearances (22) one second into Portugal’s match against DR Congo.
- Boston ranked second among local US markets for viewership of the USMNT vs. Paraguay game.
- England’s opener against Croatia is part of Group L, with the match drawing significant pre-game betting interest on platforms like Polymarket.
Still unconfirmed:
- Ronaldo was close to scoring in Portugal’s first goal chance of the tournament against DR Congo.
- England’s late decision on Saka’s inclusion could impact tactical flexibility in the match against Croatia.
- The Mexico vs. South Africa opener set an English-language viewership record, though exact figures are not yet confirmed.