England beats Croatia 4-2 in Dallas as Kane equals Lineker's World Cup record
Harry Kane scored twice to equal Gary Lineker’s England record of 10 World Cup goals as Thomas Tuchel’s side beat Croatia 4-2 in their Group L opener. Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also netted in a high-intensity encounter at Dallas Stadium.
Kane's record-equalling brace
Thomas Tuchel's side came into the tournament with controversy over his squad selection, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden were left out, but started brightly. Luka Modric, making his 199th international appearance, committed a clumsy foul on Noni Madueke inside the box in the eighth minute. Harry Kane's initial penalty was stopped by Dominik Livakovic, but referee Clément Turpin ordered a retake after VAR confirmed the goalkeeper had moved off his line. Kane made no mistake with his second effort, scoring a record fifth World Cup penalty in regular time. Midway through the first half, Kane met a Declan Rice corner with a bullet header to make it 2-1. That took the England captain to ten World Cup goals, drawing him level with Gary Lineker's all-time England record.
Croatia hit back twice
Croatia did not fold. Martin Baturina fired an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area past Jordan Pickford for 1-1. And after Kane's headed goal, Ivan Perisic demonstrated his enduring class. Receiving a long pass with his back to goal, he cushioned a header for FC Dallas striker Petar Musa, who calmly netted the 2-2 equaliser just before half-time.
England seize control after the break
Whatever Tuchel said at the interval worked. Only 85 seconds into the second half, Elliot Anderson threaded a through ball for Jude Bellingham, who cut inside and finished sharply to put England 3-2 up. England then created a flurry of chances, Kane, Anthony Gordon and Bellingham all tested Livakovic, before substitute Marcus Rashford broke away on a counter and drove in the fourth. Modric was withdrawn late on as Croatia's comeback hopes died.
- 8th minute — Modric fouls Madueke; Kane sees penalty saved, but VAR orders retake for keeper off line. Kane scores.
- 32nd minute — Baturina equalises for Croatia (1-1).
- 41st minute — Kane heads in Rice corner (2-1).
- 45+1st minute — Musa scores after Perisic assist (2-2).
- 46th minute (85 seconds into second half) — Bellingham finishes Anderson pass (3-2).
- 86th minute — Rashford counter-attack goal (4-2).
Group L's other storyline: Partey denied entry
In a related development, Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey was barred from playing his country's opening match against Panama in Toronto after Canadian authorities denied his visa. Partey, currently facing seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault in London, stayed at Ghana's US base. The Ghana-Panama match kicked off in heavy rain in Toronto as England topped Group L after the first round.
