The opening Group Stage fixture of World Cup 2026 between England and Croatia more than lived up to its billing as the marquee match of the round. Thomas Tuchel’s side demonstrated immense character and attacking quality to secure a breathless 4-2 victory.

Pundits had spent the build-up intensely debating Tuchel’s bold decision to leave Cole Palmer and Phil Foden out of the matchday squad altogether. However, England’s tournament opener proved that the German tactician knew precisely what he was doing, allowing Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham to take centre stage. It was a case of less being more, with the omission of the creative duo allowing England’s primary leaders to flourish.

The drama began just nine minutes in when a rare lapse from Luka Modrić inside his own penalty area resulted in a spot-kick. Dominik Livaković initially denied Harry Kane from twelve yards, but a VAR review ordered a retake for an infringement. At the second time of asking, the England captain made no mistake.

Croatia required a period of readjustment before gradually bending the game to their tempo, and their efforts bore fruit in the 36th minute. Martin Baturina restored parity with a sublime, curling effort from distance that clipped the underside of the crossbar. The closing stages of the first half produced another dramatic swing in momentum. First, Kane converted a Declan Rice corner to claim his second of the afternoon, only for Petar Musa to level the scoring once more just before the whistle, firing past Jordan Pickford after a smart knock-down from Ivan Perišić.

The start of the second half provided a vivid demonstration of England’s offensive potency. In the 47th minute, Bellingham capped a driving run by slotting a precise finish into the far bottom corner. What followed was a ten-minute onslaught during which Livaković produced a string of fine saves to keep Croatia in the contest.

The definitive blow arrived as Croatia pushed bodies forward in search of an equaliser. England exploited the space, launching a devastating counter-attack that was emphatically finished by Marcus Rashford to seal the 4-2 win.

Tuchel’s men will look to build on this momentum and secure early qualification for the knockout rounds when they face Ghana on June 23. Meanwhile, Croatia now face a daunting task, likely requiring victories in their remaining fixtures to keep their hopes alive., beginning with a must-win encounter against Panama on June 24.

World Cup 2026

England - Croatia 4:2 (2:2)
Goals: Kane, 12 (penalty) (1:0); Baturina M., 36 (1:1); Kane, 42 (2:1); Musa P., 45 (2:2); Bellingham, 47 (3:2); Rashford, 85 (4:2)

England: Pickford; Konsa; Stones (Guehi, 87); James R.; Rice (Rogers M., 72); Anderson E.; Madueke (Saka B., 72); O'Reilly; Bellingham (Spence D., 80); Kane; Gordon A. (Rashford, 72)
Substitution: Saka B. (from 72); Rashford (from 72); Rogers M. (from 72); Spence D. (from 80); Guehi (from 87)
Bench: Henderson D.; Trafford; Burn; Quansah; Henderson; Mainoo; Watkins; Eze; Toney I.

Croatia: Livaković; Gvardiol; Sutalo J.; Vuskovic L. (Pašalić Marco, 66); Stanisic; Sucic P.; Pasalic Mario (Vlašić, 79); Modric (Kovacic M., 58); Perišić I.; Baturina M. (Kramaric, 79); Musa P. (Matanovic, 66)
Substitution: Kovacic M. (from 58); Pašalić Marco (from 66); Matanovic (from 66); Vlašić (from 79); Kramaric (from 79)
Bench: Pandur; Kotarski; Caleta-Car; Erlic; Pongracic; Moro N.; Jakic; Sucic L.; Fruk; Budimir