Harry Kane made history once again by equalling England’s record for goals in World Cup finals, sealing a 4-2 victory against Croatia that left English fans ecstatic and the Croatians incredulous, in a night of frenetic football in Group L of the 2026 World Cup. The English forward was the protagonist of an extraordinary moment of composure as he calmly converted a retaken penalty, propelling his team into an offensive display that only didn’t result in a more emphatic win due to Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who excelled between the posts.
The match, played in a stadium full of excitement, kicked off with England lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and taking control early on. Jordan Pickford, despite making a crucial save in the final minutes, faltered on one of Croatia’s goals and displayed some insecurity. Reece James and Ezri Konsa were unreliable in defense, although James created danger in attack. John Stones, still far from his best form, started nervously but improved as the game progressed. A highlight was Nico O’Reilly, always available to push forward, but revealing defensive weaknesses. In midfield, Elliot Anderson shone with a masterful pass for Bellingham’s goal, while Declan Rice, visibly tired after a long season, stood out for his accurate cross leading to Kane’s header goal. Noni Madueke, filling in for Bukayo Saka, won the penalty and was a constant threat down the right flank. Jude Bellingham, despite losing the ball in the build-up to Croatia’s first goal, redeemed himself with a fantastic strike. Anthony Gordon, on the other hand, went unnoticed during the first half. Among the substitutes, Marcus Rashford came on to score a stunning goal, while Saka, still recovering from injury, contributed to England’s fourth goal.
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On the Croatian side, Livakovic was undoubtedly the best on the pitch, with high-level saves that prevented a heavier defeat. Josip Sutalo and Luka Vuskovic struggled to contain Harry Kane, with the young center-back showing potential despite some marking errors. Josko Gvardiol faced difficulties against Madueke’s speed, while Josip Stanisic was one of the few to create imbalance down the right flank. Luka Modric, surprisingly, committed the penalty that gave England the lead, but he demonstrated class and experience in midfield. Ivan Perisic, tireless at 37, provided a headed assist for Croatia’s second equalizer. Petar Sucic and Martin Baturina, both crucial in attacking plays, stood out for their creativity and effectiveness, with Baturina scoring coolly and Musa troubling the English defense.
This victory is crucial for England’s aspirations in Group L, placing Gareth Southgate’s team in a privileged position to advance to the next stage. The three points gained further increase the pressure on the other teams in the group, while Croatia finds itself needing to win the upcoming matches to keep its qualification hopes alive. For England, the convincing performance of key players like Kane, Bellingham, and Madueke reinforces the feeling that this generation is ready to compete for the World Cup title. Meanwhile, Croatia, despite the adverse result, shows emerging young talent, with Vuskovic and Baturina providing promising signs for the future.
At the end of the match, Harry Kane did not hide his satisfaction: “It’s always special to score for my country, especially in a World Cup. The important thing was the victory and the team’s response in difficult moments,” the English captain told the press in the mixed zone. Dominik Livakovic, visibly frustrated but proud of his performance, emphasized: “I did everything to help my team, but England was too effective. Now we have to lift our heads and fight until the end,” said the Croatian goalkeeper after the final whistle.
Looking ahead, England is now preparing to face theoretically less demanding opponents, with the possibility of managing the squad and continuing to refine processes. Gareth Southgate will have to decide whether to keep Konsa and Stones in central defense or to opt for Marc Guéhi, who came on in the final minutes. Meanwhile, Croatia faces a do-or-die scenario, relying on the ability of experienced players like Modric and Perisic to lead the response to the defeat. The pressure is mounting and the margin for error is drastically reduced. The upcoming matches promise intense emotions and could very well determine the fate of these two teams in the 2026 World Cup.
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