England beat Croatia 4-2 as Kane scores twice

ARLINGTON, United State: Harry Kane struck twice while Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford delivered the knockout blows as England survived a back-and-forth battle to beat Croatia 4-2 on Wednesday (Jun 17) and launch their World Cup campaign in a heavyweight clash that lived up to its billing.

The Group L meeting carried heavy expectations long before kickoff, given the history between the sides, with Croatia's extra-time victory over England in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals adding an extra edge to the occasion.

The match at Dallas Stadium more than delivered as Croatia twice hauled themselves level to keep England in check before Bellingham rose to the occasion with England'sthird goal in the 47th minute and then Rashford put the game away with an 85th-minute strike.

Bellingham put England decisively in front when he surged down the right with a powerful run before guiding his finish low across goal, the ball kissing the post on its way in. He raised his arms wide in his trademark celebration.

Then Bukayo Saka found fellow second-half substitute Rashford, who calmly slotted home.

The 32-year-old Kane, who arrived at the World Cup shouldering heavy expectations after a brilliant season at Bayern Munich, had opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 12th minute after Noni Madueke was brought down in the box by Croatia's 40-year-old Luka Modric.

Dominik Livakovic saved Kane's first effort but was ruled to have moved off his line early and Kane made no mistake with the retake, driving a firm shot into the right corner and sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

But Martin Baturina equalised in the 36th minute, whipping a shot into the corner with pace and precision that Jordan Pickford got a hand on but could not keep out.

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