England begin their World Cup 2026 Group L campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia, with captain Harry Kane scoring twice. Multiple reports say Kane’s brace comes in the first half and brings him level with Gary Lineker on 10 World Cup goals for England, matching the England and tournament record at that stage. Croatia responds to each of Kane’s first-half strikes, including goals scored by Martin Baturina and Petar Musa, with Musa’s effort described as arriving at the end of the first half. The match stays open and develops into a back-and-forth contest. After Croatia briefly drew level, Jude Bellingham scores early in the second half to put England ahead for good. Further scoring from England extends their lead to secure the 4-2 final score. Several outlets frame the result as a heavyweight opener and highlight Kane’s ongoing place in England’s World Cup history, noting he is one goal away from standing alone at the top.