Jude Bellingham scored early in the second half to give England a 3-2 lead over Croatia in their Group L match at Dallas Stadium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The midfielder netted in the 47th minute, restoring England's advantage after an entertaining first half that saw both teams exchange goals multiple times.
Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot, though the initial attempt had to be retaken following video assistant referee intervention. The England captain finished clinically to equalize Gary Lineker's England record of ten World Cup goals. Kane struck again before halftime to give England a 2-1 advantage, but Petar Musa leveled the score for Croatia to make it 2-2 at the break.
Bellingham's early second-half goal proved decisive as England dominated the latter stages of the match. The young midfielder has been central to England's attacking efforts throughout the competition, and his goal gave the side crucial momentum heading into the final stretch.
England delivered a particularly strong second-half performance that manager Thomas Tuchel will have been pleased with. The team showed resilience in coming from behind twice and demonstrated the attacking prowess that has made them tournament favorites. Their high-octane display in the second period created numerous chances and kept Croatia under sustained pressure.
Croatia proved a difficult and determined opponent, matching England's intensity during the opening period and capitalizing on defensive opportunities to pull level on two occasions. The European side's willingness to press forward and attack kept the match competitive throughout, though they struggled to maintain their intensity in the second half as England's pressure mounted.
In the closing stages, England made tactical adjustments to consolidate their lead. Bellingham was substituted off in the 80th minute as Thomas Tuchel sought to shore up the midfield and protect the advantage. England's defense faced some late pressure from Croatia, but the home side's goalkeeper made key contributions when needed.
The match showcased attacking football from both nations, with England proving more effective in converting their chances. Extended injury time saw continued Croatian attempts to find an equalizer, but England held firm to secure the victory.
The result gives England a strong start in Group L of the expanded World Cup format being hosted across North America. The three points position them well as they look to advance from the group stage. For Croatia, the defeat means they must seek a positive result in their remaining group matches if they hope to progress through the tournament. Both teams will return to competition as the group stage continues through its opening rounds.