There were two moments very close to halftime at the Dallas Stadium that perfectly told the story of this match. England had led 2–1. Croatia had levelled in stoppage time. Two-all. Chaos. And then, 120 seconds into the second half, Jude Bellingham broke down the right, drove at the Croatian defence, and slotted a finish into the bottom corner as coolly as if it were a training ground exercise. England never looked back.
England 4–2 Croatia. Three points. A brace for Harry Kane — including one that matched Gary Lineker’s record of 10 goals for England at World Cups. A moment of magic from a substitute. And enough twists across 90 minutes to remind everyone why watching a FIFA World Cup 2026™ match is unlike anything else in football.
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The Penalty Saga (12′)
England’s first goal arrived wrapped in controversy. Noni Madueke broke forward and was brought down in the penalty area — a rare foul by Luka Modrić clear enough for the referee to point it on the spot without hesitation. Harry Kane stepped up, struck firmly, and Dominik Livaković dived the right way to save it. Penalty given back.
VAR had spotted Livaković moving off his line before Kane struck — a technical infringement, but a clear one. The retake was ordered. Kane walked back, placed the ball, and this time gave Livaković no chance. 1–0 England. The Croatian goalkeeper had his hands on his head. Kane was already turning to run back to the centre circle.
Croatia Hit Back — Baturina’s Wonder Strike (36′)
Croatia’s response was not long in coming. Martin Baturina, given space 25 yards from goal, needed only a half-second of composure to curl a right-footed strike around the wall and past Jordan Pickford. It was a goal of genuine quality — the kind that silences a stadium. England’s lead had lasted just under 25 minutes. 1–1.
Kane and the Lineker Record (42′)
Six minutes later, England were back in front. Declan Rice — commanding and intelligent throughout the first half — delivered an inswinging corner from the right. Kane peeled away from his marker at the back post, rose at precisely the right moment, and planted a powerful header into the net. 2–1 England.
The goal was Kane’s tenth at FIFA World Cups — matching Gary Lineker’s long-standing England record, set across the 1986 and 1990 tournaments. The captain had tied a record that had stood for 36 years in one of the most compelling individual performances of the tournament so far.
Musa Levels — Again (45+5′)
England could not hold the lead to halftime. Deep into five minutes of added time, Croatia produced a moment of flowing, composed football that England simply could not handle. A sweeping team move ended with Ivan Perišić meeting a cross and heading the ball down perfectly into the path of Petar Musa. England’s defence, caught in the transition, left Musa with just enough space to stroke the ball past Jordan Pickford from close range. 2–2.
An extraordinary end to a chaotic first half. Two goals each. The Dallas crowd, which had watched the scoreline swing three times in thirty minutes, was buzzing with disbelief at what they were witnessing.
Bellingham Settles It (47′)
Jude Bellingham did not need long. Less than two minutes into the second half, he collected the ball on the right side of midfield, drove at the heart of the Croatian defence with the directness that has become his signature, and slid a low finish into the bottom-left corner. The goalkeeper had no chance. England led 3–2. AT&T Stadium erupted.
It was the decisive moment of the match. Croatia was never able to find a foothold in the second half; their energy was spent on the drama of the first.
Rashford Seals It (85′)
Thomas Tuchel introduced Marcus Rashford from the bench as the match entered its final quarter-hour, and the substitute needed no time at all to make his mark. Bukayo Saka found him on the left side of the penalty area. Rashford cut inside onto his right foot and curled a clean, precise finish into the far corner. 4–2. England. Done.
What This Means
England top of Group L with three points. Croatia, despite their two goals and moments of genuine quality, leave Dallas empty-handed — a result that puts significant pressure on their remaining fixtures against Ghana and Panama. For England, the goals and performances of Kane, Bellingham, Saka and Rashford suggest a team with ferocious attacking prowess but some weaknesses in their defensive capabilities.
And for Kane, one goal away from Lineker’s outright England record at FIFA World Cups. The next match against Ghana could be the occasion.
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