England v Croatia LIVE: Petar Musa hits equaliser after Harry Kane double in thrilling World Cup 2026 opener
HALF-TIME! England 2-2 Croatia
It’s been an entertaining half of football in Dallas, but England will be gutted they didn’t enter the break in the lead after losing their concentration at a key moment late on.
The Three Lions have looked the better of the two sides but two defensive lapses – and admittedly two great goals from Croatia – mean it’s level at half-time.
Tuchel’s side have plenty to do if they want to take three points from their opener, though they’ll believe they’re the better side, so they just need to show it in these next 45 minutes.
We’ll be back underway soon.
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 22:07
Harry Kane equals all-time England World Cup record after first-half double against Croatia
The England captain, playing at his third World Cup, opened the scoring in Dallas after scoring a retaken penalty.
His first effort was saved, but Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was penalised after a VAR review for moving off his line too early, plus Croat defender Josko Gvardiol encroached in the penalty area.
Kieran Jackson17 June 2026 22:05
HALF-TIME! England 2-2 Croatia
Reaction to that first half from Lawrence Ostlere, who’s in place at the Dallas Stadium:
“Well, that was quite a half of football. Lots for Thomas Tuchel to address at half-time. England looked promising in attack but were messy defensively and lacked the final pass and finish, which can’t be said for Croatia – they were clinical and that second goal was one of the best so far at the World Cup.
“Are we watching the game of the World Cup so far?”
(Reuters)
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 22:01
HALF-TIME! England 2-2 Croatia
(AP)(Reuters)(Reuters)
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 21:57
HALF-TIME! England 2-2 Croatia
The goal is confirmed and that’s the last action of an intriguing half in Dallas.
England twice had the lead but they’ve relinquished it twice too, and Tuchel’s men have plenty of work to do to start off this campaign with three points.
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 21:53
GOAL! England 2-2 Croatia (Musa, 45 +5′)
GOAL! Croatia are back in it again!
It’s a great goal too, with the ball clipped into the middle of the box to Perisic, who cushions a great header across to Musa.
The striker still has a lot to do but he has the composure to side-foot a volley low and past Pickford for 2-2!
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 21:51
England 2-1 Croatia
We’re into five minutes of added time in Dallas.
Reece James has a go from distance from the free-kick but it’s blocked easily enough.
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 21:48
England back in front in Dallas
Reaction to Kane’s second goal from Lawrence Ostlere, who’s in place at the Dallas Stadium:
“England back in front! That goal was exactly the same as the first goal in England’s best performance under Thomas Tuchel, the 5-0 win in Serbia during qualifying, when Harry Kane headed home Declan Rice’s out-swinging corner from around the penalty spot just inside the far post.
“That game was very much the template for Tuchel’s entire World Cup squad – nine of the same starters are playing here tonight.”
(Getty)
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 21:47
England 2-1 Croatia
England almost find themselves clean through as Madueke thinks he’s won possession, but it takes an unfortunate bounce and the chance goes begging.
Moments later, Bellingham does well to win a free-kick around 30 yards out.
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 21:45
GOAL! England 2-1 Croatia (Kane, 42′)
GOAL! It’s been talked about a lot, and England have their first set-piece goal within 42 minutes of the campaign starting!
Declan rice delivers a corner and Kane makes a brilliant run, meeting the delivery at pace and crashing an unstoppable low header into the bottom corner!
(Reuters)
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 21:43
