England 4
Croatia 2
HARRY KANE’S BRACE helped England to a pulsating 4-2 victory against Croatia as Thomas Tuchel’s side made a breathless start to their quest for World Cup glory.
The back-to-back European Championship finalists are among the favourites for glory in North America and played out a helter-skelter Group L opener at the Dallas Cowboys’ remarkable AT&T Stadium.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 17, 2026🏴 1-0 🇭🇷
Luka Modric uncharacteristically gives away an early penalty which Domink Livakovic saves but Harry Kane makes no mistake on the retake
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 17, 2026
Kane’s early retaken penalty was cancelled out by a brilliant Martin Baturina effort, before the skipper equalled Gary Lineker’s World Cup scoring record for England when heading home a Declan Rice corner.
Croatia levelled again through Petar Musa just before half-time, when assistant Anthony Barry fumed about England’s “complicated and confusing” play as Tuchel attempted to reenergise the players.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 17, 2026🏴 1-1 🇭🇷
The sides are all level here in Texas as Martin Baturina unleashes a ferocious strike that is too much for Jordan Pickford
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 17, 2026🏴 2-2 🇭🇷
Croatia respond perfectly again as Ivan Perisic is first to a clipped pass in the box and he cleverly finds Peter Musa who levels things once again in Texas
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Whatever was said in the dressing room worked as Jude Bellingham slammed the Euro 2024 runners-up back ahead within two minutes of the restart.
Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic’s inspired display frustrated England as they launched a barrage of attacks, but substitute Marcus Rashford would add another late on.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 17, 2026🏴 3-2 🇭🇷
A terrific pass from Elliot Anderson finds Jude Bellingham who drives at the goal and finishes smartly to once again restore England's lead
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 17, 2026
More to follow.
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