England 4-2 Croatia - World Cup 2026 result as Marcus Rashford, Jude Bellingham net second-half goals for Three Lions to begin in style

England delivered a scintillating second-half performance to begin their World Cup group-stage campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia.

Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford netted after the break to secure victory for Thomas Tuchel’s side as the German enjoyed a successful start to his first major tournament in charge.

While dangerous going forward, England appeared frail at the back in the first half. That was evident as, after Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot - having missed his initial kick but allowed to retake after an encroachment - Martin Baturina levelled with a thumping strike which Jordan Pickford could only get a limp hand to.

Just six minutes later, Kane netted his second of the match – and 10th at a World Cup, levelling the England record set by Gary Lineker – as he stooped to head Declan Rice’s corner into the net.

England would not go into the break ahead, though. Petar Musa side-footed Croatia level after a floated ball was nodded down by Ivan Perisic in the box, with suggestions of offside waved away due to Ezri Konsa’s wide lunge and right foot playing Perisic on.

England assistant manager Anthony Barry was critical of his side during a half-time interview with ITV, suggesting they were ”fearful” in elements of their game. And that sentiment was clearly shared by Tuchel in his team-talk, as England appeared a totally different prospect after the break.

Breaking forward at will, Bellingham was the first to profit. He was found on the right flank by Elliot Anderson, before advancing into the penalty box and firing across Dominik Livakovic and in off the post.

Croatia had Livakovic to thank for keeping the gulf at one, with a number of impressive saves as England overwhelmed their opponents with swathes of pressure. But while the margin remained at a single goal, threat of a late Croatian surge remained.

However, substitute Rashford showed immense composure when found by Bukayo Saka to check back on his right foot, sending Josip Stanisic, to curl a right-footed effort home on 85 minutes and secure the points for Tuchel’s side.

England’s Group L campaign continues against Ghana on Tuesday, before they meet Panama on June 27.

The England No. 9 said his side's display after the half-time break should be the template moving forward.

"That second half, for sure, and even the way we controlled the game," he told ITV. "You know, once we went ahead, we never really looked like we were in danger. We controlled possession well, and then, obviously, scored on the counter-attack, which you can do in this type of game.

"So, we had a spell there, first 20 minutes, where we could have scored three or four. But in the end, you know, it's three points on the board and a great start."

Speaking to ITV, Kane - who levelled Gary Lineker's record World Cup tally of 10 goals for England - detailed the impact of Tuchel's half-time instructions.

"I thought it was the game a game of two halves, really," he said. "I thought the first half was OK. Really disappointed to concede in the way we did, the way we dropped off.

"I think you saw that, the way we came out in the second half. We went full gas. And they couldn't live with it, And that's the level we have to set for every game. So, credit to everyone. The first game of the tournament, a great result against a tough side."

HBO Max includes the full range of TNT Sports content and live coverage. In 2026, subscribers can stream exclusive matches from the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League, as well as every Gallagher PREM Rugby match, Premiership Women’s Rugby, live Grand Tour cycling broadcasts including every stage of the Tour de France, every match from the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, every MotoGP, World Superbikes and British Superbikes race, plus the World Snooker Tour, the winter sports season, Speedway GP, and much more.

On ITV, Gary Neville said England were "breathtaking" after half-time, and hailed the "big impact" made by the substitutions.

"He's given them an absolute rocket at half-time," Neville said of Tuchel.

Ian Wright added: "I don't remember a time England went forward so well."

In the first half, there was a lot to like from Thomas Tuchel's side. There was also a lot to dislike.

And that was reflected in the half-time interview from assistant manager Anthony Barry, who described his side as "confused" and "fearful" and elements of their play.

Any trepidation was quickly wiped after the break.

Tuchel's side came flying out of the blocks, Bellingham netting a superb effort after patient work found him on the right.

England could have netted three or four goals in the following 15 minutes, as they broke forward with purpose time and time again, without finding that perfect opening.

And they had to remain alert to their opponents, who seemingly woke up after some substitutions, before pouncing at the right moment to kill the game off.

What a finish from Rashford, who showed great composure to check back onto his right foot before curling into the far corner to wrap up the points for England.

A good start, and much encouragement from that second half.

England are up and running at this summer's World Cup.

Gvardiol looks set to get one back for Croatia when the ball lands at his feet following a knock-down from a corner.

But in comes Kane, sliding across goal, blocking with his midriff to keep the gulf at two.

Crucial at both ends, a serious display from England No. 9.

But it's a serious uphill task from here.

And England fans can sit a little easier now.

If this is a taste of what is to come, we may be lauding many Tuchel half-time team talks by the end of this tournament.

The start of the second half was like night and day, such intensity, really impressive stuff.

England had to bide their time and be patient for the opportunity to kill off the match, but Rashford showed such composure to not snatch at his effort, and work the better angle to calmly stroke home.

It was all a bit back-and-forth and England looked to kill the game off and Croatia looked to get themselves level, and it looks as though Tuchel's side have had the final say.

A lovely bit of combination on the right sees Saka and Rogers take out a couple of men, and practically leave England with a four-on-one.

Saka works it out to the left where Rashford only has Stanisic to beat.

With a neat check-back, he gets the ball onto his right and curls past Livakovic. Surely all three points are England's.

Another strong save from the Croatia keeper.

A lovely burst of pace sees substitute Spence advance into the box and he looks to prod past Livakovic, but it's blocked with some pace, the ball flying about 40 yards out back into England's midfield.

A cross into the box is punched out by Pickford, and finds its way to Sucic on the edge of the box.

It'd have to be pretty spectacular to find the net from there, and it's high and wide.

Two for Croatia: Vlasic and Kramatic enter in place of Baturina and Pasalic.

Meanwhile, Bellingham makes way for Spence, who is sporting a jaw protector.

James goes into midfield now, with Rogers assuming the 10.

All of the sudden, the action is beginning to take place at the other end. England a little nervy, and haven't yet settled with the changes.

Pasalic looks to have found Stanisic in behind, but the Bayern man is offside.

Some gaps are appearing, and England have to be keep their heads.

The nippy Orlando City wide man cuts in from the right and dances into the box before firing a driven effort towards Pickford, which the England keeper parries.

England manage to deal with the follow-up, but it shows when the goal margin remains at one, there is always the risk.

Stanisic attempts to head back to Livakovic but it initially appears too short.

Rashford races onto it and threatens to get ahead of the Croatian keeper, but he does just enough to turn it away.

Three, in fact, following the hydration break.

Rashford, Saka and Rogers replace Gordon, Madueke and Rice.

For what it's worth, I think Madueke has been a great outlet on the right for England tonight, regularly showing in the early stages of the first half when his side, at times, were a bit turgid.