Harry Kane‘s brace helped England to a pulsating 4-2 victory against Croatia as Thomas Tuchel’s side made a breathless start to their quest for World Cup glory.
The back-to-back European Championship finalists are among the favourites for glory in North America and played out a helter-skelter Group L opener at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium.
Kane’s early retaken penalty was cancelled out by a brilliant Martin Baturina effort, before the skipper equalled Gary Lineker’s World Cup scoring record for England when heading home a Declan Rice corner.
Croatia levelled again through Petar Musa just before halftime, when assistant Anthony Barry fumed about England’s “complicated and confusing” play as Tuchel attempted to reenergise the players.
Whatever was said in the dressing room worked as Jude Bellingham slammed the Euro 2024 runners-up back ahead within two minutes of the restart.
Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic’s inspired display frustrated England as they launched a barrage of attacks, but substitute Marcus Rashford would add another late on.
PA contributed to this report.
