England 4-2 Croatia: Kane, Bellingham, Rashford Fire Three Lions Into Round of 32

England exorcised eight years of hurt in New Jersey. Harry Kane. Jude Bellingham. Marcus Rashford. 4-2. The Three Lions hammered Croatia at MetLife Stadium to avenge the 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat and deliver their finest group stage performance in a generation.

This was the England performance that fans have been waiting for. Not a narrow win. Not a nervous 1-0. A statement.

Match Summary

England 4-2 Croatia MetLife Stadium, New Jersey | June 17, 2026 Group L, Matchday 2

Goals:

• Harry Kane (pen) (England)
• Martin Baturina (Croatia)
• Jude Bellingham (England)
• Harry Kane (header) (England)
• Marcus Rashford (England)
• Petar Musa (Croatia)

How It Happened

England came into this game having beaten Panama in their Group L opener. Croatia came in needing points after a defeat to Ghana. Both teams knew the weight of their shared history.

Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot — a calm, precise finish from England's all-time top scorer that gave the Three Lions the lead. When Croatia equalized through Martin Baturina, there was a brief moment of anxiety in the MetLife crowd. England responded immediately.

Jude Bellingham — playing with the authority and confidence of a man who understands he is the best player on the pitch — restored England's lead. Then Kane headed in a second, making it 3-1 at half-time. England were dominant.

Marcus Rashford added a fourth in the second half to complete the scoring, with Petar Musa getting a late consolation for Croatia that changed nothing about the nature of the victory.

The 2018 Ghost Is Buried

England vs Croatia at a World Cup carries history that neither side can ignore. In 2018, Croatia won the semi-final 2-1 in extra time. Mario Mandžukić's winner ended England's run to what could have been their first final since 1966.

This performance buried that memory. England were better in every area — more physical, more direct, more composed. Croatia looked like a team past their peak. England looked like a team arriving at theirs.

Harry Kane — Leading When It Matters

A penalty and a header. Kane now has two goals in this tournament and is operating at the level his club form demanded. Some questioned whether Kane could perform at a World Cup after his 2022 penalty miss. The answer in New Jersey was emphatically yes.

Jude Bellingham — Running the Show

Bellingham was everywhere. He controlled the midfield, created the moments that England needed, and scored when it mattered. At 22, he is playing with a maturity and authority that puts him alongside any midfielder at this tournament.

Group L Standings After Matchday 2

Standings approximate — confirm on kickoff26.xyz/groups/l

England lead Group L with 6 points from two games — maximum points, group winners. They advance to the Round of 32. The only remaining question is whether they top the group — which is already settled.

Croatia are in serious trouble with 0 points. Their World Cup campaign may be over in the group stage.

How to Watch England at World Cup 2026

England's matches are shown free on ITV and BBC in the UK, with streaming via ITVX and BBC iPlayer. Outside the UK, visit our watch guide for your country's broadcaster.

England 4-2 Croatia. Eight years of hurt, buried in New Jersey. Follow England's knockout stage campaign on Kickoff26.