World Cup 2026: England Beat Croatia 4-2 in Arlington

Kane's header turned a Group L wobble into 4-2

England won 4-2 against Croatia at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, a World Cup 2026 Group L fixture that was more eventful than the final margin suggests. Twice England trailed; twice they answered. By the close they had pulled clear.

The numbers tell the story England would want told. England produced 3.2 expected goals (xG, a measure of chance quality) against Croatia's 0.7, created seven big chances to two, and landed 11 shots on target to five. Possession was split almost evenly at 52% to 48%, and Croatia even edged the attacks count 78 to 72, but the threat was lopsided. Jordan Pickford made three saves; his opposite number was forced into seven.

With the result, England top Group L on seven points with a goal difference of plus four. Croatia sit second on six. Both teams have already secured their place in the Round of 32. No bookings were shown all evening.

Who Tuchel and Dalić sent out in Arlington

Two Croatia leads, two England replies, then daylight

England had the ball in dangerous areas early, winning a penalty through Harry Kane inside the opening quarter of an hour, but the breakthrough went the other way. On 36 minutes Martin Baturina finished a Petar Sucic pass to put Croatia ahead.

England did not wait long. Kane levelled on 42 with a header from Declan Rice's delivery, the kind of set-piece moment that has become a trademark. The first half then closed with another twist: deep into stoppage time, Petar Musa converted Ivan Perisic's assist to send Croatia in front again at the interval.

The response was almost immediate after the restart. Two minutes into the second half Jude Bellingham struck, set up by Elliot Anderson, to make it 2-2. From there England's quality told. Marcus Rashford, on as a substitute, added the fourth on 85 minutes from a Bukayo Saka assist. Zlatko Dalić rotated heavily late on — Luka Modric, Lovro Vuskovic and others entering — while Thomas Tuchel emptied his bench too, but the game was already settled.

Right team, tidier scoreline than the crowd guessed

The futbol.so community leaned towards England, and the consensus pick was a 2-1 win for the Three Lions. The direction was sound; the detail less so. England did win, but the scoreboard ran to four goals, not two, and Croatia found the net twice rather than once.

That tilt towards England held across the board, with fans in Colombia and Argentina also favouring a narrow England success on the same 2-1 line. The official forecast had England as clear favourites and, as it happened, called the exact 4-2 result. A rare night when the model out-read the room.

Video highlights

KANE spazza via la Croazia | Inghilterra-Croazia 4-2 | FIFA World Cup | DAZN Highlights

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Kane, Tuchel, Bellingham & Rice speak after England v Croatia | FIFA World Cup 2026

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Full Post Match Analysis | England v Croatia | FIFA World Cup 2026

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HIGHLIGHTS - England v Croatia | Insane Opener! | FIFA World Cup 2026

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KANE! England captain scores THUMPING header! | England v Croatia | FIFA World Cup 2026

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ENGLAND IN FRONT! Huge moment for Jude Bellingham! | England v Croatia | FIFA World Cup 2026

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DRAMA! Harry Kane scores RETAKEN penalty! | England v Croatia | FIFA World Cup 2026

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England Train Before Croatia | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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Croatia On Playing England | Coach ‌Zlatko Dalić & Luka Modrić Answer Questions From The Press

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England On Playing Croatia | Coach Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane Answer Questions From The Press

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15-Minute Match: Croatia vs England | 2018 Semi-Final

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ENGLAND vs. CROATIA | World Cup 2026 MATCH PREVIEW

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World Cup: England vs Croatia

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World Cup: England vs Croatia

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World Cup: England vs Croatia

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World Cup: England vs Croatia

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World Cup: England vs Croatia

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World Cup: England vs Croatia

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World Cup: England vs Croatia

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England leave Arlington top of Group L, through to the Round of 32, and carrying the look of a side that can absorb a setback or two. Croatia go through alongside them, second and far from disgraced despite the margin.

Both now turn to the knockout stage. On this evidence England's set-piece threat and chance creation will worry whoever they meet next; Croatia will fancy their experience to count when the games tighten.