Quick take
England dropped four on Croatia in one of the wildest games of the World Cup so far.
In a chaotic Group L opener, England beat Croatia 4-2 after a match packed with goals, momentum swings, defensive mistakes, and big attacking moments. Harry Kane scored twice, Jude Bellingham delivered a huge second-half goal, and Marcus Rashford helped finish the job late.
Current status
Status: Confirmed Match: England 4-2 Croatia Competition: #IFA World Cup 2026 Group: Group L Key player: Harry Kane England goals: Harry Kane 2, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford Croatia goals: Martin Baturina, Petar Musa Result: England win and take three points Why it matters: England start their World Cup campaign with a statement win, but the defensive errors still leave questions.
What happened?
This was not a calm England win.
Croatia made the game uncomfortable and punished England when they switched off. Martin Baturina and Petar Musa both scored for Croatia, turning the match into a real test instead of an easy opener.
But England’s attack had too much.
Harry Kane led from the front with two goals, showing why he is still the player England trust in the biggest moments. Jude Bellingham then added a major second-half moment, driving England forward when the match needed control. Marcus Rashford later helped seal it, giving England the breathing room they needed.
Why it matters
England winning their opening game is huge, but the way they won says a lot.
The attack looked dangerous. Kane was clinical, Bellingham gave the midfield energy, and the bench added impact. That is the positive side.
The concern is the defense. Croatia scored twice and kept finding ways to make England uncomfortable. Against stronger knockout opponents, those mistakes could be punished even harder.
That makes this result feel like both a warning and a statement.
The bigger picture
England now have three points in Group L and a strong start to the tournament.
But this game also showed why World Cup football can change quickly. England looked powerful going forward, but they were not fully in control for long stretches. Croatia made them work for everything and proved they are still dangerous even when under pressure.
For England fans, this was exciting. For the coaching staff, it was probably a reminder that the attack can win games, but the defense still needs tightening.
Related ForfeitMedia coverage
Follow more updates in the World Cup 2026 section, where ForfeitMedia tracks match results, group standings, late goals, and major tournament moments.
You can also explore more football coverage and World Cup stories for reactions, explainers, and key results from the tournament.
Bottom line
England got the win, but they did it the hard way.
A 4-2 victory over Croatia gives them the perfect start on paper, with Kane, Bellingham, and Rashford all delivering big moments. But if England want to go deep in this World Cup, the defense has to clean things up fast.
