The Three Lions started strongly, with Harry Kane calmly slotting home a penalty in the 12th minute after Luka Modrić fouled Noni Madueke in the box. England kept up their offensive pressure, but Croatia clawed their way back into the match.
The equalizer came in the 36th minute when Martin Baturina netted with an ambitious long-range shot, capitalizing on a mistake from England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. England quickly regained the lead six minutes later, as Kane headed in from a Declan Rice corner, completing a first-half brace. He has now scored 10 goals in FIFA World Cup history, outpacing Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, who has eight.
Croatia, refusing to back down, found the net again just before halftime. Ivan Perisic was instrumental in the play leading up to Petar Musa’s close-range finish, leveling the score at 2-2 as the teams headed into the break.
England wasted no time reestablishing their dominance after halftime. Just two minutes in, Jude Bellingham scored following excellent play from Elliot Anderson, giving England the lead and shifting the game’s momentum.
As Croatia pressed for another equalizer, England remained a threat on the counterattack, eventually sealing the victory in the 85th minute. A precise pass from Bukayo Saka found Marcus Rashford in the penalty area, and the forward finished coolly to extend the lead to 4-2.
The match, played at a frenetic pace and filled with attacking brilliance, was one of the most entertaining of the tournament thus far. England’s sharp finishing and their resilience after each Croatian response proved crucial, with Kane’s first-half goals laying the groundwork for Bellingham and Rashford to cap an impressive opening win.
