England Beat Croatia 4-2 in 2026 World Cup Opener

England opened their 2026 World Cup Group L campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia at AT&T Park in San Francisco on June 18. Harry Kane scored twice, while Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford added goals to secure three points and an early lead in the group standings.

Who scored in the England vs. Croatia match?

Harry Kane led the English offense with two goals, scoring from a penalty in the 12th minute and adding a second in the 42nd minute. Jude Bellingham extended the lead in the 47th minute, and Marcus Rashford sealed the win with a goal in the 85th minute.

Croatia responded with goals from Martin Baturina in the 36th minute and Petar Musa in the 45+5 minute. Despite these efforts, Croatia fell short of a draw.

Did You Know? Croatia’s goalkeeper Livakovic, who plays for Fenerbahçe, recorded seven critical saves during the match to prevent a larger deficit.

How did Croatia perform despite the loss?

According to Sofascore data, Livakovic was one of Croatia’s most effective players with a 7.6 rating. He finished the match as the second-highest rated player for his team, trailing only Martin Baturina.

The Croatian starting lineup featured Modric, Gvardiol, and Perisic, but they were unable to overcome the English attack. The team struggled to maintain the lead after Musa’s first-half goal.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that England’s ability to score immediately after halftime through Bellingham shifted the momentum, forcing Croatia to abandon a defensive posture and leaving them vulnerable to Rashford’s late strike.

What is the current state of Group L?

England currently holds the top spot in Group L with three points. This position is held “by a match advantage” as other teams in the group have yet to play.

England's Harry Kane Scores Two Goals in First Half vs Croatia 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 2026 FIFA World Cup™

The group’s remaining action continues with Ghana facing Panama. That match is scheduled for June 18 at 02:00 TSİ.

Depending on the result of the Ghana-Panama fixture, England may maintain its lead or face a tighter race for the top spot in the following rounds.

Starting Lineups

England: Pickford, James, Stones, Konsa, O’Reilly, Anderson, Rice, Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon, Kane.

Croatia: Livakovic, Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol, Pasalic, Modric, Sucic, Perisic, Baturina, Musa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where was the England vs. Croatia match played?
The match took place at AT&T Park in San Francisco, USA.

Who were the top-rated players for Croatia?
Martin Baturina and goalkeeper Livakovic were the highest-rated players for Croatia, according to Sofascore.

When do Ghana and Panama play?
They are scheduled to play on June 18 at 02:00 TSİ.

How will this result impact the remaining Group L fixtures?