Harry Kane wrote another glorious chapter in his England career as Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a breathless 4-2 victory over Croatia in a chaotic and richly entertaining Group L encounter at Dallas Stadium on Wednesday. 

The Bayern Munich striker scored twice in a pulsating first half to equal Gary Lineker’s record of 10 World Cup goals for England, with Jude Bellingham and substitute Marcus Rashford adding second-half strikes to seal a convincing win that sends an early statement of England’s title ambitions.

The match began in frantic fashion from the first whistle. England were awarded a penalty in the ninth minute when Noni Madueke was brought down under a challenge from the veteran Luka Modrić. Kane stepped up but saw his stuttering effort saved by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic though the spot-kick had to be retaken after both encroachment from Josko Gvardiol and Livakovic being adjudged to have moved off his line too early. The England captain made no mistake the second time around, drilling the ball home to give his side the lead. Kane then added his second goal before the 42nd minute to double England’s advantage, but Croatia refused to lie down. The Croatians twice clawed their way back into the contest before the break, with Martin Baturina netting a brilliant effort from outside the area and Petar Musa rolling the ball through Jordan Pickford’s legs after a neat lay-off from Ivan Perisic, sending the sides into the dressing rooms level at two goals apiece and the match delicately poised.

England re-emerged from the interval with a sharply renewed purpose, and it was Bellingham who provided the decisive first blow of the second half, driving forward with relentless intensity before sending a low shot past Livakovic to restore England’s lead for the third time. Croatia pushed for another equaliser and Livakovic remained inspired between the posts producing a remarkable triple save from a dangerous set-piece and denying Kane on two further occasions.

But England’s superior depth ultimately told. Late substitute Bukayo Saka glided down the right flank before squaring for fellow substitute Rashford, who cut inside and stroked the ball calmly into the bottom-right corner to put the result beyond doubt.

Rashford’s goal was his fourth as a substitute for England, placing him third on that list behind Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch.

The victory carried significant statistical weight. Kane’s brace made him only the second England player in history to score at three separate World Cup tournaments, joining David Beckham, who netted at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 finals. His 10 World Cup goals now match Lineker’s record, with further games ahead to potentially claim it outright. Historically, it was also England’s first World Cup win against a side ranked inside FIFA’s top 15. Croatia are currently ranked 11th since their victory over Argentina in 2002, ending an extraordinary nine-game winless streak against such opposition at the finals.

England sit top of Group L with three points following the win, with Ghana who beat Panama 1-0 on the same matchday their nearest rivals. Tuchel will demand greater defensive discipline after conceding twice in a first half that left his assistant , Anthony Barry visibly frustrated at the interval, but the attacking quality on display leaves little doubt that this is a squad capable of going very deep into the tournament.