England 4 – 2 Croatia

Match Report

Thomas Tuchel's first World Cup match in charge of England was supposed to be a statement of control. Instead it turned into an instant classic — a 4-2 thriller that needed two separate comebacks from his own side before England could finally pull away.

The chaos started early. Harry Kane won and stepped up to a 12th-minute penalty, only for Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic to save his first attempt — before the referee ordered a retake, ruling that Josip Gvardiol had encroached into the box and that Livakovic himself was off his line. Kane made no mistake the second time. Croatia refused to fold, though: Martin Baturina, set up by Petar Sučić, leveled it at 1-1 in the 36th minute. Kane restored England's lead just six minutes later, turning home a low ball from Declan Rice in the 42nd. Croatia weren't done — Petar Musa, fed by Ivan Perišić, drew them level again in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time. Somehow, it was 2-2 at the break.

Whatever Tuchel said in the dressing room landed. Jude Bellingham put England back in front just two minutes into the second half, finishing off a pass from Eberechi Eze, and the game settled from there. Marcus Rashford added a fourth in the 85th minute, turning home a Bukayo Saka cutback to finally put the contest to bed.

A wild, four-goal swing of a match that England eventually won comfortably on the scoreboard — but never controlled for more than ten minutes at a time.

Match Timeline

• 12'🎯PENALTY GOAL — Harry Kane 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 — Saved, then scored on the retake. 1-0.
• 36'⚽GOAL — Martin Baturina 🇭🇷 — Assisted by Petar Sučić. 1-1.
• 42'⚽GOAL — Harry Kane 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 — Turns home a Declan Rice setup. 2-1.
• 45+5'⚽GOAL — Petar Musa 🇭🇷 — Assisted by Ivan Perišić. 2-2.
• 45'⏸️Half-Time: England 2-2 Croatia.
• 47'⚽GOAL — Jude Bellingham 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 — Finishes off an Eberechi Eze assist. 3-2.
• 85'⚽GOAL — Marcus Rashford 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 — Turns in a Bukayo Saka cutback. Final score: 4-2.

Three Things We Learned

1. This England Team Can Be Got At — But Won't Stay Behind

Croatia equalized twice and still lost by two. England's defending was shaky for stretches, but Tuchel's attack always had an answer ready.

2. Croatia Have More Than Nostalgia Left in the Tank

Baturina and Musa, both attacking the game with real conviction, show this Croatia side isn't just leaning on its veterans to be competitive.

3. The Couch Undersold England By a Mile

Predicted a comfortable England 2-0. Got a seesawing 4-2 with two separate Croatia equalizers along the way — nowhere near the calm evening that was forecast.

Player Ratings

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England

🇭🇷 Croatia

Match Stats

• Kane's penaltySaved, then retaken — scored
• Goals before half-time4 (2-2 at the break)
• Kane's tallyBrace (12', 42')
• VenueAT&T Stadium, Arlington

Group L — After Match 022

England top the early Group L table. Ghana and Panama kick off later the same day in Toronto.