Kane scores twice as England beat Croatia in a six‑goal thriller.

Harry Kane scored twice in the first half as England defeated Croatia 4‑2 to start their World Cup title campaign in Texas on Wednesday.

Jude Bellingham, immediately after half‑time, and substitute Marcus Rashford with five minutes remaining secured a winning lead for Thomas Tuchel’s side after Croatia had fought back to level at 2‑2.

Kane’s two goals put England ahead early in the first half, one of them a retaken penalty, before Martin Baturina and Petar Musa answered for the 2018 runners‑up.

Both teams were vulnerable at the back, and the second half threatened another flurry of goals, with Bellingham needing only two minutes to restore England’s advantage before a crowd of 70,000.

England had many chances to extend their lead immediately after, but did not take them until Rashford stepped up.

The match repeated the 2018 semi‑final, which Croatia won 2‑1 after extra time, although England have since had the upper hand against the older squad in North America.

Thomas Tuchel’s side, aiming to give England its first major trophy since 1966, began nervously in front of a packed house at the air‑conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys.

Then the drama began. Croatia’s captain Luka Modric extended a leg and caught Noni Madueke in the box.

Kane’s first penalty was saved by Dominik Livakovic, but French referee Clement Turpin ordered a retake after video replays showed the goalkeeper had moved off his line.

Turpin had previously sent off Tuchel in the Champions League, and the referee was highlighted by English media this week.

– Bellingham to rescue –

Bayern Munich striker Kane held his nerve on the second attempt, again shooting to Livakovic’s left but this time with more force to give England the lead after 12 minutes.

England then dominated, with Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham – who prefers the number 10 role – sprinting upfield and forcing Livakovic to clear the ball.

Loud boos rang out at the drinks break, as the match was played under a roof and not in the unforgiving Texas sun.

At the half‑hour mark England should have gone 2‑0 up, but Bellingham narrowly missed a low cross from Noni Madueke.

In the 36th minute Croatia drew level.

England lost possession in midfield, and Petar Sucic left John Stones exposed with neat footwork to set up Baturina.

The 23‑year‑old met the ball on the first touch and whipped it past Jordan Pickford, who managed a hand to the ball.

Zlatko Dalic’s side were level for just six minutes as a Declan Rice corner found Kane unmarked, and the captain nodded home.

It was Kane’s 10th World Cup goal, tying him with Gary Lineker for the most by an England player.

Tuchel, who has made it clear that winning the World Cup is his aim, barely smiled.

The frenetic first half ended with Musa taking advantage of a poor England defense in the fifth minute of injury time to score from close range, making it 2‑2.

The second half began with a goal as Bellingham sprinted down the right, unchallenged, and rolled the ball into the corner.

Kane, Nico O’Reilly twice, and Bellingham had good chances for a 4‑2 lead as England hammered the Croatia goal.

With 15 minutes left and England retreating, Croatia had several opportunities, but Rashford secured the three points.

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