England Survive Croatia Thriller to Win 4-2 on Opening Day
Goals from Kane, Bellingham and Rashford gave the Three Lions a rollercoaster victory in their World Cup 2026 opener.
England got their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign off to a flying — if nervy — start, beating Croatia 4-2 in a six-goal thriller in Los Angeles.
A captain's performance
Harry Kane led from the front with a double, taking him to the summit of the early Golden Boot race. Jude Bellingham added a moment of class from midfield, while Marcus Rashford capped the win with a clinical finish.
Croatia push hard
The 2018 finalists refused to roll over, twice pulling a goal back to keep the contest alive. Their experienced spine caused England problems, and manager and fans alike will want to tighten up at the back before the next round of fixtures.
Verdict
Four goals and three points represent the ideal start for England, even if the defensive lapses give the coaching staff plenty to work on. The attacking talent on display suggests the Three Lions can go deep in this tournament.
Next up, England will look to build momentum and secure progression to the Round of 32 with another positive result.
