England opened the 2026 World Cup with a 4:2 victory over Croatia in a Group L match at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The main figure of the game was Harry Kane, who scored two goals, while Jude Bellingham put Thomas Tuchel's side ahead 3:2 shortly after the break. Die Zeit ↗
Kane first converted a retaken penalty kick and then also scored with a header. The Bayern Munich striker thereby drew level with Gary Lineker in the all-time table of English World Cup scorers. Croatia managed to match his productivity, but after Bellingham's strike in the 47th minute, England had already secured a decisive advantage. Marcus Rashford increased the lead to 4:2 late in the match. Tagesspiegel ↗
Bellingham started in the number ten position, which had been a subject of debate in the English press before the match. After the game, he spoke about how the outside pressure and "noise" surrounding his place in the lineup could serve as motivation for him during the tournament. English media particularly praised the offensive duo of Kane and Bellingham, who were responsible for the winning start. Die Zeit ↗
According to available information, Tuchel reprimanded the players at halftime and encouraged them to be bolder. England thus managed one of the most notable matches of the championship so far, entering the rest of the Group L campaign with three points and an impressive offensive record. BBC News ↗
Kane and Bellingham hand England a winning start to the World Cup
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Sources (13)
Kane trifft doppelt: England feiert 4:2-Auftaktsieg gegen Kroatien
Der Standard
| 00:25 18.06.
I tried to encourage them to go for it - Tuchel
BBC News
| 01:15 18.06.
Fußballweltmeisterschaft 2026: Harry Kane führt England zum Sieg gegen Kroatien
Die Zeit
| 00:35 18.06.
Fußball: Das war die WM-Nacht: Kane glänzt, Ghana jubelt spät
Tagesspiegel
| 05:03 18.06.
Fußball-WM: „Sternenstaub versprüht“: Pressestimmen zu England-Kroatien
Tagesspiegel
| 02:29 18.06.
Fußball-WM: Kane überragt bei Englands Auftaktsieg
Sueddeutsche Zeitung
| 01:08 18.06.
Fußball-WM: Superstürmer Kane führt England zum Startsieg gegen Kroatien
Tagesspiegel
| 00:01 18.06.
Fußball-WM: Superstürmer Kane führt England zum Startsieg gegen Kroatien
Die Zeit
| 00:00 18.06.
Fußball: Das war die WM-Nacht: Kane glänzt, Ghana jubelt spät
Die Zeit
| 05:00 18.06.
'Chip on shoulder' may help Bellingham to best form
BBC News
| 02:12 18.06.
Na genialitu Kanea Chorvátsko malo odpoveď, na ďalší gól už nie. Šláger Európanov nadchol!
sport.sk
| 00:00 18.06.
Svet videl reklamu na futbal! Angličania v najlepšom zápase šampionátu pretlačili Chorvátov
sport.pravda.sk
| 00:00 18.06.
Mondial 2026 : l'Angleterre prend le meilleur sur la Croatie à l'issue d'un match endiablé
France24
| 00:00 18.06.
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