England kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey with an impressive 4-2 victory over Croatia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, fueled by a standout performance from Harry Kane, who scored twice. The match drew a crowd of 70,389, and England showcased their attacking prowess with 21 shots, seven big chances, and a 2.82 expected goals (xG) rating, while limiting Croatia to just three shots inside the box and a mere 0.53 xG.

A Thrilling First Half

The match began with England taking an early lead when Noni Madueke won a penalty in the 12th minute, which Kane successfully converted. Croatia responded well, equalizing in the 36th minute through Martin Baturina, who found the net after a setup from Petar Sučić. However, England regained the advantage just before halftime, with Kane scoring again in the 42nd minute following a delivery from Declan Rice. The first half concluded with more excitement as Petar Musa leveled the score at 2-2 in stoppage time, assisted by Ivan Perišić.

England Dominates the Second Half

The second half saw England take control of the match. They increased their possession to 58% and registered 12 shots, nine of which were on target, compared to Croatia's one shot. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring for England in the 47th minute, assisted by Elliot Anderson, highlighting England's sharper attacking play after the break. England continued to apply pressure, dominating corners 5-0 and outpacing Croatia with 12 shots inside the box.

In the end, England's ability to create chances and control the game proved decisive, as they secured a strong start to their World Cup campaign.