FIFA World Cup 2026: Harry Kane brace sinks Croatia as Three Lions grab victory in opener

“You’re my Wonderwall,” sang the England supporters after their team had partially laid the ghosts of Russia 2018 to bed.

Back then, Gareth Southgate’s men had lost 2-1 in extra time to Croatia in the 2018 World Cup semi-final. In Dallas, they did not wilt, overcoming Croatia 4-2 in the opening match of Group L. Captain Harry Kane, who didn’t score a goal on that night, made sure there would not be a repeat, as Thomas Tuchel’s side grabbed all three points.

Up against a potential banana skin, England were decisive, scoring twice in each half to subdue Croatia, who had their moments but were second best on the day.

The night did not start on the best of terms for the English captain as he appeared to have missed a penalty in the 9^th minute. Luka Modric had failed to spot Noni Madueke’s charge into the box and the veteran Croatian midfielder brought the Arsenal attacker down.

Dominik Livakovic dived to his left to save Kane’s penalty from a stuttering run-up but VAR adjudged that the Croatian custodian had both his feet off the line at the moment that the spot kick was taken. Kane duly converted the retake to put England ahead on the night. England continued to ramp up the pressure on the Croatians as Tuchel’s men moved the ball with speed and consummate ease.

Croatia proved resolute and some wonderful combination play between Petar Sucic and Martin Baturina left the latter with a gilt-edged chance on the edge of the box. The 23-year-old’s rasping shot proved too much for Jordan Pickford, who got a hand to the ball but could not prevent it from crossing the line.

Kane nudged England ahead once again as he headed home Declan Rice’s corner, after making a run into the box, leaving himself unmarked. With this goal, Kane also reached a personal landmark, tying Gary Lineker for most World Cup goals in an England shirt with 10.

True to the first half’s topsy-turvy nature, Croatia equalised as Ivan Perisic’s crafty run caught the English defence napping.

Perisic cushioning a header back into the path of FC Dallas man Petar Musa, who delighted the hometown crowd with a finish past Pickford in the fifth minute of added time at the end of the first half.

Despite dominating the first half for large stretches, England were left frustrated as Croatia  made the most of their chances, capitalising on lapses in the English defence. Tuchel, however, rallied his troops at half-time as the Three Lions came out all guns blazing.

Elliot Anderson, who had an outstanding game in the middle of the park, dropped deep to receive the ball and whipped the ball out to the right wing, where Jude Bellingham had made a barnstorming run. The Real Madrid man continued his run, driving into the box and finished with aplomb, putting England ahead for the third time in the 47^th minute.

Croatia’s chances dried out in the second half as England played with more control and thrust than the 2018 World Cup finalists. Such was England’s dominance that they racked up 22 shots on the nights with half of those on target.

Tuchel rung in the changes in a powerful display of England’s depth. Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford replaced Anthony Gordon and Madueke, and the substitutes would have the last laugh.

Having embarked on yet another counter, Saka managed to wriggle free and set up Rashford, who calmly chopped his way to give himself a clear sight of goal, before coolly slotting the ball into the corner of the net.

Much of the chatter around team selection had centred on the omissions of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer but Tuchel’s faith in his squad and team selection paid off on the night.

This is a team built in his image as England navigated a tough opener with grit and poise, refusing to fall into a mentality crisis that has been the undoing of several English teams in the previous few World Cups.

While it may be too early to draw conclusions, England have a lot of positives to take away from their opener. With Ghana and Panama to come, Tuchel’s side will have one eye on the knockouts. If their opening victory proves to be any indicator of their potential progress, England promise to be one of the most entertaining sides this World Cup.

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