Kane retakes penalty and scores as England beat Croatia 4-2

Harry Kane atoned for his penalty miss during England's 4-2 win over Croatia

England captain Harry Kane was given a rare reprieve by just millimetres after his first effort was kept out by Dominik Livaković.

Harry Kane puts England 1-0 up against Croatia with a retaken penalty, after his initial attempt was saved by Dominik Livakovic, who was deemed to be off his line.

Harry Kane was given a second chance from the spot for England against Croatia because Dominik Livakovic broke the goalkeeper rule before saving his first penalty. The incident came early in England’s 2026 World Cup opener in Arlington, Texas, after Noni Madueke won a penalty under a challenge from Luka Modric.

England took the lead against Croatia in the World Cup Group L clash thanks to a Harry Kane penalty in Dallas

England captain Harry Kane scored his country's first goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026, but only after a controversial VAR intervention handed him a second chance from the penalty spot against Croatia. Kane's initial effort was brilliantly saved by Dominik Livakovic, only for the Croatian goalkeeper to be penalised for stepping off his line, allowing the England skipper to convert the retake in a moment that sparked immediate debate.Was penalty retake the right call? pic.twitter.com/OTbWJuCcof https://t.co/KsJwrDJjtG— Living Liverpool (@Livin_Liverpool) June 17, 2026 The decisive moment arrived after England won a penalty following a dangerous corner. The loose ball fell kindly for Noni Madueke inside the box, and the winger reacted quickest to beat veteran Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić to the ball before being brought down, prompting the referee to point to the spot.Kane stepped up looking to score England's first goal of the tournament but saw his initial effort brilliantly saved by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livaković. The England skipper employed a stuttering run-up and aimed low to the keeper's left, but Livaković guessed correctly and pushed the ball away.Croatia's celebrations, however, were short-lived.'We Will Give Everything We've Got': Kane Rallies England Ahead of Croatia Clash In FIFA World Cup 2026Ronaldo Fails To Fire After Messi Hat-Trick, Mbappe and Haaland Seize FIFA World Cup 2026 SpotlightFollowing a VAR review, Livaković was adjudged to have moved off his line before Kane struck the ball. Under FIFA regulations, the infringement resulted in the penalty being retaken, triggering protests from the Croatian players and adding a layer of controversy to the encounter.Replays suggested the goalkeeper's marginal movement may have had little bearing on the save itself, leading many observers to question the decision. Nevertheless, the laws of the game were applied, and Kane was handed a second opportunity from 12 yards.The England captain made no mistake at the second attempt. Keeping his composure amid the drama, Kane converted the retake to finally beat Livaković and hand England the lead.