England commenced their 2026 World Cup journey with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia at AT&T Stadium on Wednesday. The match featured a remarkable first half that saw four goals exchanged between the two teams, setting the tone for an exciting opener in Group L.

First Half Drama

Harry Kane opened the scoring for England in the 12th minute, converting a penalty after a foul by Luka Modric on Noni Madueke. Although Kane's initial shot was saved, VAR intervened, allowing him to retake the penalty due to encroachment by Croatian players. Croatia responded in the 36th minute with a stunning strike from Martin Baturina, leveling the match at 1-1. Just before halftime, Kane restored England's lead, only for Petar Musa to equalize again in stoppage time, leaving the score at 2-2 at the break.

Second Half Surge

After the interval, Jude Bellingham put England back in front shortly after the restart, showcasing his talent with a well-placed finish. Marcus Rashford added a fourth goal in the 85th minute, sealing the win for England. Despite the attacking prowess displayed, England's defensive lapses raised concerns, especially with tougher opponents like France and Argentina looming in the tournament.

While England's offensive capabilities were on full display, with Kane's brace bringing him level with Gary Lineker as England's all-time leading goalscorer at World Cup finals with 10 goals, the team will need to tighten their defense to be serious contenders for the trophy. Nevertheless, the victory marks a strong start for Thomas Tuchel's side, who managed to score four goals when other top teams like Brazil, Spain, and Portugal have struggled in the competition.