An entertaining high scoring affair saw Thomas Tuchel’s England secure a crucial 4-2 victory over Croatia in their 2026 World Cup Group L opener in Dallas
Arsenal’s fingerprints were all over the performance with Noni Madueke winning the penalty in which Harry Kane scored the opener and having conceded an equaliser, Declan Rice inswinging corner was met by an unmarked Kane for England second and the the English forward but the joy was cut short with yet another Croatia equaliser to end the score 2-2 at the break.
England started the brightest after the break and a quick thinking ball over the top from Elliot Anderson set up Bellingham on the clear and with an option of a cut back to Madueke, the Madrid midfielder took the shot and found the bottom corner to give England and early lead in the half. While Croatia fought to find an equaliser and tested Jordan Pickford in England goal, England’s late substitution turned the game.
Bukayo Saka, due to his lingering fitness management from the end of the domestic season started on the bench but was introduced alongside Marcus Rashord and they both combined for England’s fourth. Saka introduction in the 72nd minute proved decisive. He injected lethal energy down the right ultimately providing a magnificent assist for Rashford’s 85th minute goal to kill off the game.
There was some late nerves for Arsenal and the English fans as Rice was substituted late in the match limping off though its expected he would be fit in time for England’s next match in the group.
