England vs Croatia produced a six-goal thriller in Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as England beat Croatia 4:2 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, according to the FIFA match report.
The match opened with an early penalty after Croatia captain Luka Modrić was penalized in the box. Harry Kane missed the initial spot kick, saved by goalkeeper Dominik Livaković, but the referee ordered a retake for encroachment and Kane converted the rebound, putting England ahead.
Croatia answered before halftime. In the 36th minute, Martin Baturina unleashed a long-range shot from outside the box that beat England’s goalkeeper at pace to equalize 1:1, the FIFA match report said. The game opened up from that point.
England regained the lead in the 42nd minute when Declan Rice delivered an outswinging corner and Kane rose unmarked to head home his second of the match. In the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, Petar Musa met a header from veteran Ivan Perišić and steered Croatia level again, 2:2, sending both teams to the break on even terms.
Early in the second half England struck again. Two minutes after the interval Jude Bellingham received a clever pass inside the area and his shot skipped past Livaković and in at the far post, restoring England’s lead in the England vs Croatia contest.
Croatia made several tactical changes in search of a response, but England held firm. In the 85th minute Marcus Rashford, who had come on as a substitute, met a cross from Bukayo Saka to make it 4:2, and the score remained unchanged to the final whistle, FIFA reported.
England were efficient in attack, registering 19 shots with 12 on target and controlling 54 percent of possession, the FIFA match report showed. The win gives England three points and an early advantage in Group L.
England vs Croatia: postmatch notes
Captain Harry Kane finished the game with two goals and two historical milestones, the Football Association said. Kane now has 10 World Cup finals goals, equaling Gary Lineker’s tournament total, and he extended his England career total to 80 international goals, a new record for the national team.
Kane milestones and context
The Football Association released the updated scoring figures after the match, confirming Kane’s 80th international goal. England’s captain has now matched and surpassed long-standing national scoring markers during the 2026 tournament.
With this result in the England vs Croatia opener, England will carry momentum into its next Group L match, while Croatia must regroup quickly. Coaches from both teams are expected to comment further at their postgame news conferences, the tournament organizers said.