Kane equals Lineker's England World Cup record as Three Lions overturn Croatia 4-2

Harry Kane drew level with Gary Lineker’s England record of 10 World Cup goals as the Three Lions came from 2-2 at half-time to beat Croatia 4-2 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Wednesday, with Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford completing the turnaround.

Kane’s first goal came from the penalty spot after a retaken kick — Dominik Livakovic’s initial save was ruled out by video review for leaving his line early — and the Bayern Munich striker sent his second attempt to the right post while Livakovic dived the other way. The foul that earned the penalty was committed by Luka Modric, the 40-year-old making his record fifth World Cup appearance, who caught Noni Madueke in the thigh.

Kane’s second, and record-equalling, goal was a powerful header from a Declan Rice corner that Livakovic had no answer for. It took the striker to 10 World Cup goals across the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, matching Lineker’s tally set across 1986 and 1990. Kane has now scored 81 goals for England in total.

Croatia had twice levelled in a chaotic first half. Martin Baturina beat Jordan Pickford with a shot into the left corner in the 36th minute, and Petar Musa — who plays his club football for MLS side FC Dallas, roughly 40 miles from the venue — converted a one-timer from Ivan Perisic’s header on the stroke of half-time.

The equaliser barely survived the restart. Bellingham collected a long pass, held off his marker and slotted past Livakovic via the far post to restore England’s lead just two minutes into the second half, his seventh international goal. Rashford added a fourth in the 85th minute to put the result beyond doubt.

“I thought it was a game of two halves,” Kane said. “I thought in the first half, we were okay — really disappointed to concede the way we did. The way we came out in the second half, we went full gas and they couldn’t live with it, and that’s the level we need to set for every game.”

England’s next Group L fixture is against Ghana in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Tuesday. Croatia face Panama in Toronto on the same day.