Manchester City’s English contingent came out on top over their Croatian opponents on Wednesday night, emerging victorious in an eventful 4-2 win in Texas.
Thomas Tuchel inaugurated his World Cup chapter with an exhilarating, high-scoring 4-2 triumph as England withstood a fierce Croatia fightback at Dallas Stadium, flashing attacking firepower balanced by defensive vulnerability to lay a chaotic yet successful foundation for their Group L campaign.
The breakthrough materialised after 12 minutes when Harry Kane buried a twice-taken penalty – awarded for a foul on Noni Madueke – after a VAR review penalised goalkeeper Dominik Livaković for encroachment on the initial save.
While an audacious, 120 km/h equaliser from Croatia’s Martin Baturina stunned Jordan Pickford, Kane restored the lead with a far-post header from a Declan Rice corner, lifting his international tally to 81 goals and pulling level with Gary Lineker’s record of 10 World Cup goals.
However, defensive instability continued to plague the English backline, allowing Petar Musa to slip through the offside trap and poke home Ivan Perišić’s intelligent header with the final kick of the first-half.
The tactical balance was shattered immediately after the interval by Jude Bellingham, who justified his inclusion over Morgan Rogers by driving directly through the Croatian midfield to smash home a spectacular solo effort.
England would ultimately consolidate their grip on proceedings through a sequence of smart defensive substitutions; Marcus Rashford wrapped up three points five minutes from time, calmly slotting past Livaković from a clever Bukayo Saka pass to set up a crucial matchup against Ghana in Boston.
Marc Guehi match statistics vs Croatia
3 Minutes
7 Touches
7 Accurate Passes
100% Pass Accuracy
1 Recovery
1 Accurate Long Ball
John Stones match statistics vs Croatia
87 Minutes
71 Touches
62 Accurate Passes
95% Pass Accuracy
5 Recoveries
2 Aerial Duels Won
2 Ground Duels Won
2 Accurate Long Balls
2 Passes Into Final Third
1 Tackle
1 Clearance
1 Was Fouled
1 Headed Clearance
Nico O’Reilly match statistics vs Croatia
90 Minutes
63 Touches
36 Accurate Passes
84% Pass Accuracy
3 Ground Duels Won
3 Passes Into Final Third
3 Touches In Opposition Box
2 Chances Created
2 Successful Dribbles (Most)
1 Recovery
1 Clearance
1 Was Fouled
1 Shot On Target
1 Aerial Duel Won
1 Big Chance Missed
1 Accurate Long Ball
England 4-2 Croatia: 90 minutes for Nico O'Reilly and Josko Gvardiol, 87 minutes for John Stones, 38 minutes for Mateo Kovacic, 9 minutes for Marc Guehi, and James Trafford unused from the bench. 🏴🇭🇷 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/73IpmEy7j6
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) June 17, 2026
Josko Gvardiol match statistics vs England
90 Minutes
58 Touches
43 Accurate Passes
91% Pass Accuracy
4 Recoveries
4 Passes Into Final Third
1 Tackle
1 Clearance
1 Aerial Duel Won
1 Ground Duel Won
1 Headed Clearance
1 Big Chance Missed
1 Accurate Long Ball
1 Touch In Opposition Box
Mateo Kovacic match statistics vs England
32 Minutes
37 Touches
29 Accurate Passes
97% Pass Accuracy
4 Passes Into Final Third
3 Ground Duels Won
2 Was Fouled
1 Tackle
1 Recovery
1 Interception
1 Shot On Target
1 Accurate Long Ball
James Trafford remain unused from the bench for England .
Data courtesy of FotMob.