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join the discussion Advertisement More Stories Harry Kane celebrates.Alamy Stock Photo Six Goal Thriller Harry Kane scores twice as England make winning start to World Cup bid Thomas Tuchel’s side beat Croatia 4-2 in Group L. 11.11pm, 17 Jun 2026 Share options 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. 🏴 1-0 🇭🇷 Luka Modric uncharacteristically gives away an early penalty which Domink Livakovic saves but Harry Kane makes no mistake on the retake Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/poH594FNCX— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 17, 2026 🏴 2-1 🇭🇷 Harry Kane is left unmarked from a corner and he makes no mistake to restore England’s lead Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/U814XFMgBP— 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. 🏴 1-1 🇭🇷 The sides are all level here in Texas as Martin Baturina unleashes a ferocious strike that is too much
for Jordan Pickford Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/RPdeD3EVHO— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 17, 2026 Advertisement 🏴 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 Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/Xzfo4rp81m— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 17, 2026 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. 🏴 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 Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/piMcAmsFPa— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 17, 2026 🏴 4-2 🇭🇷 Marcus Rashford finishes coolly to provide the dagger here
in Texas Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/8yccQ5KL7L— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 17, 2026 More to follow. Check out the latest episode of The 42′s Football Family podcast here Written by Press Association and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here. Viewcomments Send Tip or Correction Embed this
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Harry Kane, England, Croatia, 4-2, Group L, World Cup bid, AT&T Stadium, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford