England beat Croatia 4-2 as Kane scores twice

England secured a winning start to their World Cup campaign, defeating Croatia 4-2 in Arlington, Texas. Captain Harry Kane was instrumental in the victory, scoring twice, with Jude Bellingham and substitute Marcus Rashford also finding the net.

“

Kane opened the scoring with a retaken penalty in the 12th minute before Croatia levelled 24 minutes later when Martin Baturina capitalised on errors by England’s midfield and unleashed a shot that Jordan Pickford got a hand to but could not stop.

Kane opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a retaken penalty. Croatia managed to equalize later in the first half when Martin Baturina capitalized on defensive errors. However, Kane restored England's lead in the 42nd minute, heading home from a Declan Rice corner to match Gary Lineker's England World Cup scoring record of 10 goals.

“

Kane then equalled the England World Cup scoring record of 10 goals held by Gary Lineker when he was given the freedom of the penalty box to head home from a Declan Rice corner in the 42nd minute.

Despite Croatia leveling the score again just before halftime through Petar Musa, England regained the advantage early in the second half. Bellingham sprinted nearly the full length of the pitch to score, and Rashford sealed the win with a late counter-attacking goal in the 85th minute. This result places England in a strong position in Group L, which also includes Ghana and Panama.

“

But Croatia made it 2-2 in the fifth minute of time added on at the end of the first half when Petar Musa was picked out by Ivan Perisic’s deft header and he blasted the ball past Pickford.