Fifa World Cup: England start World Cup in style with 4-2 win over Croatia
Harry Kane scored twice in the first half as England eventually saw off Croatia 4-2 to launch their World Cup title assault in Texas today.
Jude Bellingham, immediately after halftime, and substitute Marcus Rashford with five minutes to go ensured a winning start for Thomas Tuchel’s side after Croatia had fought back to level at 2-2.
The prolific Kane twice put England ahead in the first half – one a retaken penalty – only for Martin Baturina and Petar Musa to hit back for 2018 runners-up Croatia.
With both sides shaky at the back, the second half threatened another goal glut, Bellingham needing just two minutes to put England ahead again in front of a crowd of 70,000.
England had numerous chances to extend their lead immediately after, but did not take them until Rashford popped up.
The meeting was a repeat of the 2018 semi-final, which Croatia won 2-1 after extra time, although England have since had the edge against one of the older squads at the tournament in North America.
Tuchel’s side, bidding to deliver England a first major trophy since 1966, made a nervy start in front of a packed house at the impressive air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Then the drama came. Croatia’s talismanic captain, Luka Modric, dangled out a leg and caught Noni Madueke in the box.
Kane saw his unconvincing penalty saved by Dominik Livakovic, only for French referee Clement Turpin to order a retake after video replays deemed the stopper had come off his line.
Turpin once sent off Tuchel in the Champions League and the referee taking charge of the game had been highlighted by English media this week.
Bayern Munich striker Kane held his nerve the second time around, again going to Livakovic’s left but this time in more ruthless fashion to give England the lead after 12 minutes.
Now it was all England, and Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham – preferred to Morgan Rogers in the No 10 role – surged upfield, forcing Livakovic to smother.
Loud boos rang out for the drinks break, given the match was under a roof and not the unforgiving Texas sun.
On the half-hour, England should have gone 2-0 up, Bellingham narrowly failing to make contact with Madueke’s delicious low cross.
On 36 minutes, Croatia drew level.
England squandered the ball in midfield, then Petar Sucic left John Stones on the floor with some neat footwork to set up Baturina.
The 23-year-old met the ball first time and whipped it past Jordan Pickford, who got a hand to the ball.
Zlatko Dalic’s side were level for just six minutes as a Declan Rice corner found Kane unmarked and the captain nodded home.
It took skipper Kane to 10 World Cup goals, the most of any England player, with Gary Lineker.
Tuchel, who has made it clear that winning the World Cup is his aim, barely smiled.
Putting the seal on a frenetic first half, Musa took advantage of more poor England defending in the fifth minute of injury time to stroke the ball in from close range for 2-2.
The second half started just as the first ended – with a goal – as Bellingham galloped down the right unchallenged and rolled the ball into the corner.
Kane and Nico O’Reilly twice each, and Bellingham, had good chances for a 4-2 lead as England pummelled the Croatia goal.
With 15 minutes left and England retreating, Croatia had several opportunities before Rashford made the three points safe. – AFP
Fulltime: England 4 Croatia 2
Cameron McMillan
Thomas Tuchel will be much happier after that second half. England twice gave up the lead in the first 45 minutes but they came out firing to start the second half and it's a well-earned three points to start the tournament.
90th minute + 4: England not done yet
Cameron McMillan
Kane blocks a shot from the corner and England counter. It's two against two, Saka supplies Rashford again but he's denied a second.
90 minutes + 3: Any more goals left in this?
Cameron McMillan
Maybe a seventh goal would be greedy. England happy to clear the ball upfield with a two-goal lead. Croatia get a late corner.
What's to come
Cameron McMillan
The other two teams in this group are Ghana and Panama - they square off in Toronto at 11am. England will face Ghana next.
Six added minutes
Cameron McMillan
89th minute: Three points wrapped up?
Cameron McMillan
Would be hard to see Croatia come back now. They look spent and England enjoying some possession now. There substitutes have made a difference in a solid team display for England. Aside from the two defensive lapses in the first half.
One more England change
Cameron McMillan
Marc Guéhi on for John Stones
England goal: Marcus Rashford
Cameron McMillan
And that was the danger for Croatia. England counter. Some slick passing and Saka finds Rashford in the box. He cuts from his left to his right foot and beats Dominik Livaković. That's four for England and should be enough for three points.
Nice play by the subs.
85th minute: Croatia push up
Cameron McMillan
Every England player is behind the last 30 now as Croatia enjoy possession. England eventually break it down and spread out a bit more. Kovacic does get a shot from range but Pickford easily saves it.
83rd minute: Spence denied in the box
Cameron McMillan
Spence with a great run and chases a ball into the box but a sliding shot is blocked.
81st minute: Sučić fires high
Cameron McMillan
Petar Sučić blazes at attempt on goal over the bar.
England change
Cameron McMillan
Bellingham comes off. Djed Spence replaces him. He broke his jaw near in the last game of the EPL season against Chelsea.
78th minute: Croatia keep coming
Cameron McMillan
A long range effort is saved from Pickford. He knocks it down but Croatian strikers too far away for a rebound. Croatia with more attacking play but pinged for offside. Croatia continue searching for a third equaliser.
76th minute: Rashford denied
Cameron McMillan
Dominik Livaković rushes off his line to deny Marcus Rashford on the edge of the box. Livaković has had a strong game.
And then at the other end Pickford stops Pasalic.
England changes
Cameron McMillan
Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Morgan Rogers come on so England keep some attacking intent.
Off comes Rice, Madueke and Gordon.
70th minute: Heading into the last 20
Cameron McMillan
Well that was a strong passage for England but they'll could regret not taking their chances. Croatia have settled in the last five minues.
England have had 18 shots on goal to Croatia's four. 10 of those on target for England.
68th minute: England still unchanged
Cameron McMillan
They've gone almost 70 minutes with the starting XI. Might use the hydration break as a chance to change tactics.
Anthony Gordon with a shot inside the box but is blocked.
Time for a drinks break.
Croatia make two more changes
Cameron McMillan
Goalscorer Petar Musa comes off for Igor Matanović
Luka Vušković off for Marco Pašalić
65th minute: Croatia on attack
Cameron McMillan
Croatia do have a chance with plenty of players forward, Ivan Perišić claims a corner but the ball came off his knee. England looked a bit exposed there at the back but survive.
60th minute: It's all England
Cameron McMillan
England turn the ball over on halfway with a missed pass going over the touchline. Let's see if Mateo Kovačić can make a difference in the middle of the field. Croatia hanging in there but don't rule out a third equaliser.
Luka Modric off for Mateo Kovačić
Cameron McMillan
56th minute: And another England corner
Cameron McMillan
Rice sends it in and Nico O'Reilly connects but Livaković saves on the line. England have a chance on the rebound but again Livaković stops it. England corner again. Livaković punches the ball away.
England lining up in the box. Chance after chance after chance but somehow Croatia keep it at 3-2. Several times England shots are blocked at close range. Kane could have had a hat-trick a few times.
53rd minute: Another corner for England
Cameron McMillan
It's been all England to start the second half. They get back to back corners. Go short with the second and it's Modric v Madueke again but this time ref doesn't call a foul. Would have been outside the box. Goal kick to Croatia.
50th minute: Huge chance for England
Cameron McMillan
Nico O'Reilly unmarked at the far post but he headers it wide. A great chance for a fourth goal.
47th minute: Another chance for Bellingham
Cameron McMillan
And could have had a second. Straight at Livaković though. Poor start to the half for Croatia. England corner.
Goal England: Jude Bellingham
Cameron McMillan
And England strike again. Great finish by Bellingham. Croatia give him room in the box and he slots in home from the right. It's been more than a year since he scored for England.
A great long ball from Elliot Anderson put Bellingham into space but he still was 30m away from the goal. He run into the box and finished.
Second half kicks off
Cameron McMillan
The goal stands. Can England find the lead a third time? There should be more goals in this.
First half action
Cameron McMillan
Plenty to talk about from the first 45 plus minutes. England with the early penalty after Modrić collected Madueke with a high foot in the box. Kane first penalty attempt was saved but Dominik Livaković jumped off his line early before Kane slotted the second attemot.
Croatia hit back after winning a turnover on halfway and quickly countered with led to Martin Baturina finding the equaliser with a strong shot by Pickford.
Harry Kane made it a double when Croatia left him unmarked during a corner but Croatia had the last say with Musa finishing off a lovely goal right before halftime.
Is he off?
Cameron McMillan
Halftime: England 2 Croatia 2
Cameron McMillan
VAR can check during half-time but looked to be fine, it's just whether Ivan Perišić is offside when he started his run into the box. I've checked the footage and it could be close.
Croatia goal: Petar Musa
Cameron McMillan
What a goal! Great lead up. A looping ball into the box is headed from Ivan Perišić sideways to Musa who hits the volley by Pickford.
45th minute + 3: Croatia shot goes wide
Cameron McMillan
Kane goes down after a possible foul but Croatia play on, Mario Pašalić fires a shot from outside the box but blasts it over the crossbar. Kane gets up and he's fine. Just wanted a foul.
45th minute: England free-kick
Cameron McMillan
Bit of a gut-punch for Croatia. They did well to equalise then give up the lead a few minutes later. England now with a freekick within striking distance as Mario Pašalić brings down Bellingham.
A first half hat-trick for Kane? Madueke or James will take it. About 28 yards out.
But James goes low and Luka Modrić blocks it. Wasted chance.
Goal: Harry Kane again
Cameron McMillan
And they do score again. Harry Kane with the header from the corner. Harry Maguire didn't make the England squad but they don't need him if the other Harry can produce Maguire like headers. Croatia leave him unmarked and he collects a great header which goes by Livaković.
40th minute: Croatia come again
Cameron McMillan
Croatia gain confidence after the goal and attack again but England manage to clear. That was a cracking finish by Baturina.
England win a corner. Can they hit back before the break?
Goal Croatia: Martin Baturina
Cameron McMillan
And Croatia find the equaliser with a great strike from Martin Baturina. The ball was laid off to Baturina from the edge of the box and he hit well. Pickford got a hand on it but that wasn't enough.
35th minute: England counter again
Cameron McMillan
A break by Bellingham down the right and he sends Noni Madueke into the box. England have numbers but he doesn't get the cross in. Reece James eventually sends in a cross but Croatia are set in defence and clear away.
32nd minute: Bellingham blows a chance
Cameron McMillan
Noni Madueke with a low cross into the box but Jude Bellingham can't get on the end of it. Nice lead up play there by England. Bellingham had two defenders on him but should have got a foot on it.
29th minute: Half chance for Croatia
Cameron McMillan
Harry Kane loses the ball deep inside his own half, Luka Vušković steals it but the defender was prepared to have a shot and England shut him down. Kane saved there.
25th minute: Players full hydrated
Cameron McMillan
And we're back underway. Croatia with the ball at the back and Dominik Livaković finds a teammate in the middle of the field with a successful long ball. Croatia looking to spread the ball wide from side to side but England shutting them down quickly.
22nd minute: Bellingham given room
Cameron McMillan
Jude Bellingham with a run into the box from halfway but looks to run out of steam and the Croatian defenders shut him down. England with a couple of attacking chances in the last few minutes.
Replays of the initial penalty save by Dominik Livaković shows that he was just off the line.
Hydration break.
20th minute: The England crowd are singing
Cameron McMillan
The English national anthem sounds out around Dallas Stadium. Sing when you're winning. The game has settled a bit after the goal. Anderson intercepts a pass in the middle of the pitch and England look to counter but Croatia defend well.
16th minute: England chance down the other end
Cameron McMillan
Good run by Noni Madueke as he takes the ball into the box and gets a shot away earning a corner. The ball bounces to Elliot Anderson outside the box but his shot is blocked and Croatia clear.
14th minute: Croatia shout for a penalty
Cameron McMillan
Referee says no but they get a corner instead. Not enough contact from Reece James for a penalty. VAR then reviews and says no it's a goalkick anyway.
Goal - Harry Kane
Cameron McMillan
And Kane scores on take two. Much better penalty that time as he slots it. And England are on the board early.
Harry Kane to step up for England again...
Cameron McMillan
Saved but to be taken again
Cameron McMillan
Harry Kane's shot is blocked by Dominik Livaković. But will he get a re-take? Livaković may have jumped off the line early.
Not a great penalty by Kane. And it's a retake.
Harry Kane to step up for England
Cameron McMillan
8th minute: Penalty for England
Cameron McMillan
Attacking chance for England as Rice sends in the corner, Noni Madueke is taken out by Modric and it's a penalty!
5th minute - England under pressure early
Cameron McMillan
England once again stuck deep at their end of the field. They finally escape and enjoy some possession in the middle of the field as Croatia sit back. Harry Kane makes a run but the searching ball is intercepted.
3rd minute - Corner for Croatia
Cameron McMillan
Croatia press early and have the England defenders under early pressure. They can't get the ball out of their own box and eventually give up a corner. Early chance for Croatia.
The corner finds a free Josip Šutalo but he sends an awkward shot well over the crossbar.
Kickoff - England start the game
Cameron McMillan
And we're underway with Declan Rice kicking off. And Jordan Pickford hoofs it upfield. But Croatia are able to win the header and gain early possession but deep inside their own half.
Now far away from kickoff
Cameron McMillan
The World Cup kicked off six days ago and Group L have had to longest wait to begin. England and Croatia walk out to as you'd expect a packed Dallas Stadium. Now the national anthems.
England in white and Croatia in blue.
Great scenes in Dallas
Cameron McMillan
Two fantastic groups of fans in England and Croatia. No shortage of passion.
The teams starting to line up under the stadium.
Today's venue - Dallas Stadium
Cameron McMillan
Today's game is being played at Dallas Stadium, aka AT&T Stadium, aka Jerry World. The stadium cost around US1.15b courtesy of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. It sets 80,000 and has twin screens that are among the 100 biggest HD video screens in the world.
Cameron McMillan
Four years ago - England
Cameron McMillan
England opened their 2022 World Cup with a 6-2 win over Iran, drew 0-0 with USA then beat Wales 3-0 to top their group. They beat Senegal 3-0 in the round of 16 before going down to France 2-1 at the quarter-final stage with Harry Kane missing a late penalty.
Four years ago - Croatia
Cameron McMillan
At the last World Cup in Qatar, Croatia finished second in their group after opening with a 0-0 draw against Morocco before beating Canada and then a second draw with Belgium - though five points was enough to make the second round.
In the round of 16 they beat Japan in a shoot-out after it finished 1-1 and then toppled Brazil in the quarter-final stage in another shoot-out - the match also finished 1-1. Their run ended with a 3-0 semi-final defeat to Argentina. They eventually finished third after meeting Morocco again in the third placed match.
So they actually had one win across their six matches that mattered.
England v Croatia - They meet again
Cameron McMillan
Who can forget the semi-final in Moscow eight years ago? The Kieran Trippier free kick in the fifth minute and Harry Kane missing a chance in the box to double the lead (similar to the All Whites start against Iran). Ivan Perišić eventually getting the equaliser and just when it seemed to be heading to penalties, Mario Mandžukić pounced on a loose header in the box to score the winner with 11 minutes left.
Who will be England v Croatia?
Cameron McMillan
Portugal 1 DR Congo 1
Cameron McMillan
A great result for the African nation that qualified through the playoff tournament. They comeback to earn a draw. Ronaldo had three attempts on goal but could add to his World Cup scoring tally.
Joao Neves opened the scoring in the first half in Houston but Yoane Wissa equalised in first-half injury time to give the Congolese their first ever World Cup point.
Croatian side to face England
Cameron McMillan
1 Dominik Livaković, 2 Josip Stanišić, 4 Joško Gvardiol, 6 Josip Šutalo, 10 Luka Modrić, 14 Ivan Perišić, 15 Mario Pašalić, 16 Martin Baturina, 17 Petar Sučić, 22 Luka Vušković, 26 Petar Musa.
40-year-old Luka Modrić will start to confirm his fifth appearance at a World Cup.
England clubs
Cameron McMillan
That's two from Arsenal, two from Manchester City and well covered across England and Europe with Everton, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle , Real Madrid and Bayern Munich represented.
Though Anthony Gordon has just signed with Barcelona from Newcastle.
England side to play Croatia
Cameron McMillan
England XI: 1 Jordan Pickford; 24 Reece James, 5 John Stones, 2 Ezri Konsa, 3 Nico O'Reilly; 8 Elliot Anderson, 4 Declan Rice; 20 Noni Madueke, Jude 10 Bellingham, 18 Anthony Gordon; 9 Harry Kane.
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