England announced themselves as genuine contenders with a 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas, with Harry Kane scoring twice and Jude Bellingham adding a third in a five-goal first-half blitz that buried any thought of a Croatian upset before the break.
Kane’s Brace Sets the Tone
Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 12th minute and added a second in the 42nd, sandwiching a moment of real quality from his captain’s armband as England’s all-time leading scorer continued his habit of delivering on the sport’s biggest stage. Jude Bellingham, just two minutes after Kane’s second, made it three with a composed finish that turned a contest into a rout, and Marcus Rashford came off the bench to add a fourth in the 85th minute to put the final gloss on the scoreline.
Croatia Refuse to Disappear
Croatia, so often the tournament’s great competitors, never stopped fighting back. Petar Musa pulled one back right at the end of first-half stoppage time, and Martin Baturina’s earlier strike in the 36th minute had briefly threatened to make it a real contest before England re-asserted control. The two-goal margin in the final accounting undersold how much resistance this experienced Croatian core put up across ninety-plus minutes, even in defeat.
What This Means for Group L
The win put England top of Group L after the opening round, a group that also includes Ghana and Panama, who met on the same day. For a England squad built around a deep pool of attacking talent, the four-goal return in Dallas was exactly the kind of statement performance that quiets questions about whether this generation can finally deliver a major trophy.
FAQ
Who scored for England against Croatia?
Harry Kane scored twice (12′, 42′ penalty and open play), Jude Bellingham added a third in the 44th minute, and substitute Marcus Rashford scored a fourth in the 85th minute.
Did Croatia score against England?
Yes. Martin Baturina scored in the 36th minute and Petar Musa added a second in first-half stoppage time, but it was not enough to overcome England’s 4-2 win.
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