World Cup 2026: England 4-2 Croatia | Match report and highlights
ShireHub's read: Kane scored twice. Croatia equalized twice. It was 2-2 at the break and suddenly a game. Then England came out for the second half and closed it out in ten minutes. Final: 4-2.
🏴 England
12' — Harry Kane (pen, retaken) Modric fouled Madueke in the box. Livakovic saved Kane's first attempt, but VAR ordered a retake. Kane stepped up again and scored.
42' — Harry Kane (assist: Declan Rice) Rice's corner from the right. Kane rose above everyone and powered a header into the net. His 10th World Cup goal, level with Gary Lineker's all-time England record.
47' — Jude Bellingham Two minutes into the second half. Bellingham picked up a long pass, held off his marker the whole way, and finished into the far post. Game over from that moment.
85' — Marcus Rashford (assist: Bukayo Saka) Saka laid it through, Rashford jinked inside and finished low. Sealed it.
🇭🇷 Croatia
36' — Martin Baturina A powerful drive from distance. Pickford got a hand to it — couldn't keep it out. 1-1.
45+5' — Petar Musa (assist: Ivan Perišić) Perišić's header set up Musa at the back post. Steered it past Pickford on the stroke of halftime. 2-2.
Group L standings 👇 🥇 England — 3 pts (+2) 🥇 Ghana — 3 pts (+1) 🥉 Croatia — 0 pts (-2) 🥉 Panama — 0 pts (-1)
⚖️ The call everyone's still talking about:
Livakovic saved Kane's first penalty. Then VAR ordered a retake, Livakovic left his line early, and Gvardiol entered the box and touched the rebound before it was back in play. Under a rule change introduced this tournament, that counts as encroachment. Technically correct.
Was the retake the right call, or did England get away with one? Share your thoughts with us!