England defeats Croatia 4-2 in World Cup opener; Kane scores twice

England began their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia on Thursday, as captain Harry Kane scored twice to guide his team to an important opening win. The match, played with high intensity, saw both sides trade goals in a dramatic first half before England took control after the break.

The scoring started early when Noni Madueke was brought down in the penalty area by Luka Modric in the 10th minute. Harry Kane stepped up for the spot-kick, but his effort was saved by Dominik Livakovic. However, following protests from England players, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ruled that Livakovic had moved off his line prematurely. Kane was granted a retake, and he made no mistake, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give England the lead.

Croatia responded quickly, drawing level in the 23rd minute. A well-worked move ended with Petar Sucic cutting the ball back for Martin Baturina, who curled a powerful shot past Jordan Pickford. The goal mirrored England’s style from past tournaments, catching the defence off guard.

Kane restored England’s lead just before the half-hour mark. From a corner, he positioned himself well and guided a header into the net, showing his aerial ability. But Croatia struck again in first-half stoppage time. Mario Pasalic lofted a ball to the far post where Ivan Perisic headed it into the path of Petar Musa, who finished clinically to make it 2-2 at the interval.

The second half saw a transformed England side, playing with greater pace and directness. Manager Thomas Tuchel, who took charge with an 18-month contract focused on the World Cup, has encouraged his players to think and pass quickly, mimicking the club football rhythm. This approach paid off when Jude Bellingham put England ahead again shortly after the restart. Receiving a pass from Reece James on the right wing, he drove into the box and scored with a composed finish.

England’s midfield, featuring Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, and Bellingham, then took control of the game, pressing effectively and limiting Croatia’s chances. The defensive stability improved, and England added a fourth goal through Marcus Rashford, who converted a chance to seal the win.

The victory provides a positive start for England in a tournament where expectations are high. Kane’s performance, with two goals and a disciplined overall contribution, highlighted his importance to the team. Tuchel’s tactical changes appear to be taking shape, as England seek to build on recent semi-final and final appearances in international competitions.