Kane brace and Bellingham strike power England to 4-2 win over Croatia in World Cup opener

England launched their World Cup 2026 campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas, coming from level at 2-2 to score twice in the second half and claim a commanding opening win in their group stage fixture.

Harry Kane gave England the lead twice in the first half, only for Martin Baturina and Petar Musa to peg Croatia level on both occasions. The game turned decisively after the break when Jude Bellingham drove forward and finished to restore England’s advantage, before substitute Marcus Rashford added a fourth late on to put the result beyond doubt.

Speaking after the final whistle, Roy Keane credited the attacking output while noting that the two goals conceded may serve as a useful warning. “They’ll be delighted. Scored four goals, the attacking players obviously having an impact, subs coming on and doing well, controlling the game,” the former Manchester United captain said. “It’s good, though strange, that they conceded a couple of goals because it keeps them on their toes.”

Gary Neville pointed to a Thomas Tuchel half-time intervention as the catalyst for the second-half surge, a view shared by Kane in his post-match interview. “He’s given them an absolute rocket at half-time hasn’t he?” Neville said. “They’ve come out and for 20 minutes in that second half they were breath-taking. What I liked about it then is they had to sit off and play a bit deeper. He makes the substitutions and they have a big impact and we go and get that fourth. It was a really good second half and some of the stuff in the first 10 minutes was fantastic.”

Ian Wright focused on England’s attacking intent, arguing that the defensive lapses should not overshadow a genuinely impressive display going forward. “I can’t remember a time when England have gone forward so well, played so well and looked so dangerous,” Wright said. “We can always work on the defensive side.”

The result gives Tuchel’s side three points from their opening game, though the two goals conceded will give the coaching staff areas to address before their next group stage fixture.