AFCON 2025
Harry Kane struck twice on Thursday night as England began their 2026 FIFA World Cup with an impressive win over Croatia.
The Bayern Munich striker equalled Gary Lineker’s record of most goals scored by an English player at the World Cup – 10.
Kane scored from two set pieces in an exhilarating first half that saw the Croats come back twice before the end of the first half.
Harry gave England the lead early in the game from a retaken penalty after Luka Modric kicked Noni Madueke in the box.
Croatia pressed high up the pitch after conceding first and got the equaliser from a well-taken goal by Como’s midfielder Martin Baturina.
Baturina received a pass from Petra Sucic on the edge of the box and powered a ferocious strike into the top left corner.
A few minutes later Harry Kane restored England’s lead with a header from Declan Rice’s corner as he equalled Lineker’s record.
Once again, the Three Lions defence was in sixes and sevens as Petar Musa latched on to Ivan Perisic’s headed pass in the box to equalise again for Croatia.
However, Thomas Tuchel’s men took a firm charge of the game in the second half forcing the opponent to go long.
Jude Bellingham put England ahead for the third time in the game as he buried the ball into the far post off an Elliot Anderson’s pass.
Dominik Livakovic had a busy second half, making three big saves to deny England from increasing their lead.
However, the Dinamo Zagreb midfielder couldn’t stop Marcus Rashford off the bench as the Manchester United forward made it 4-2.
England sits top of Group L, while Ghana is in second place after a late win over Panama in Ontario.
