England vs Croatia: 4-2 Win Sparks Group L Sensation at the 2026 World Cup

Key Facts About the Match

- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Group L
- Date: June 17, 2026
- Final Score: England 4-2 Croatia
- Venue: AT&T Stadium
- Attendance: 70,389
- Referee: Clément Turpin

Match Report: Kane Opens the Scoring, Croatia Strike Back

In front of 70,389 spectators at AT&T Stadium, England made the better start. Harry Kane found the net as early as the 12th minute to put his side ahead – an early blow for Croatia. England's captain showed from the very beginning why he ranks among the tournament's most dangerous attackers.

Croatia, however, were not rattled and grew increasingly into the game as the first half wore on. In the 36th minute, Martin Baturina equalized to make it 1-1, injecting fresh tension into the contest. But the joy among Croatian fans was short-lived: just before the break, in the 42nd minute, Harry Kane restored England's lead with his second goal of the night.

The match remained dramatic right into first-half stoppage time. In the 45+5th minute, Petar Musa struck to level things at 2-2, sending both sides into the dressing room with the outcome wide open.

Second Half: England Pull Away

The start to the second half could hardly have gone worse for Croatia. Just two minutes after the restart, in the 47th minute, Jude Bellingham made it 3-2 for England. The goal visibly knocked the momentum out of Croatia's side, which they had built up before the break.

England subsequently took control of proceedings and allowed only a handful of clear-cut chances for Croatia. Marcus Rashford put the finishing touch on the game in the 85th minute, sealing the 4-2 final score that reflected England's dominance over long stretches of the match.

Statistical Analysis: England Dominates the Numbers

The match statistics underline that England's victory was by no means undeserved:

- Possession: England 51.7% – Croatia 48.3%
- Shots on goal: England 22 – Croatia 10
- Shots on target: England 11 – Croatia 5
- Corners: England 8 – Croatia 2
- Passes: England 474 – Croatia 443
- Fouls: England 10 – Croatia 12
- Offsides: England 0 – Croatia 1
- Saves: England 3 – Croatia 7

Notably, England recorded significantly more shots and corners, while Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was kept noticeably busier with seven saves compared to his English counterpart Jordan Pickford, who made three. Both teams also finished without a single yellow or red card – a sign of a fair yet intense contest.

Lineups at a Glance

England: Jordan Pickford, John Stones, Ezri Konsa, Nico O'Reilly, Reece James, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke

Croatia: Dominik Livakovic, Luka Vuskovic, Josko Gvardiol, Josip Sutalo, Mario Pasalic, Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Josip Stanisic, Petar Musa, Martin Baturina, Petar Sucic

Notable on the Croatian side: Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic both started, two seasoned veterans who, alongside younger talents like Martin Baturina and Petar Sucic, provided Croatia's blend of experience and freshness.

Context: What the Win Means for Group L

With the 4-2 victory, England banked an important stage win in the World Cup 2026 group phase. Harry Kane, already regarded as one of the tournament's top scorers, underlined his exceptional standing in England's attack with his brace. Jude Bellingham, the other prominent name in England's offense, also played a decisive role in the win with his goal.

For Croatia, the group phase becomes more demanding following this defeat. Despite scoring twice themselves and enjoying spells in which they matched England well, their performance ultimately wasn't enough to test England over the full 90 minutes. The high shot count and clear advantage in corners show that England were the side dictating play in the decisive moments.

Stadium Atmosphere and Outlook

Before a large crowd at AT&T Stadium, fans were treated to a six-goal thriller with several changes of lead and a gripping finish – exactly the kind of match that defines a World Cup. Both teams now must carry the lessons from this encounter into their remaining group games.

England head into their next Group L fixtures with a win under their belt and a healthy goal difference intact. Croatia must quickly regroup after the defeat to set themselves up for a place in the knockout rounds in their upcoming matches.

Frequently Asked Questions About England vs Croatia

How did the England vs Croatia match end at the 2026 World Cup?
England won the Group L match 4-2 against Croatia.

Who scored for England?
Harry Kane scored a brace (12th and 42nd minutes), while Jude Bellingham (47th minute) and Marcus Rashford (85th minute) also found the net.

Who scored for Croatia?
Martin Baturina (36th minute) and Petar Musa (45+5th minute) were responsible for Croatia's goals.

Where was the match played?
The match was held at AT&T Stadium in front of 70,389 spectators.

Who was the referee for the match?
Clément Turpin officiated the match.

How do the statistics compare between the two teams?
England had the edge in possession (51.7% to 48.3%), shots on goal (22 to 10), and corners (8 to 2), while Croatia were kept busier in saves (7 to 3).