England 2-1 Croatia: Bellingham and Saka Strike as Three Lions Begin World Cup Campaign with Vital Win
Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka scored in each half to give England a 2-1 victory over Croatia in their Group L opener in Dallas, despite a late scare from the 2018 finalists.
England launched their 2026 World Cup campaign with a performance of genuine authority in Dallas on Wednesday, beating Croatia 2-1 in a Group L meeting that underlined the Three Lions' credentials as one of the tournament's leading contenders. Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka provided the goals that secured the points, though a late penalty from Luka Modrić ensured a nervous final few minutes for Thomas Tuchel's side.
Bellingham opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a strike that combined his trademark late run into the box with a precise finish into the bottom corner. The Real Madrid midfielder, wearing the No. 10 shirt, had been the game's dominant creative presence from the first whistle, and his goal was the least England's early control deserved. Croatia, at what is likely the final World Cup for several of their "golden generation" veterans, struggled to contain England's pace on the wings but remained a threat on the counter-attack through Joško Gvardiol's driving runs from the back.
The second goal arrived shortly after the interval and was a study in clinical transition. Harry Kane dropped deep to collect possession and released Saka down the right flank; the Arsenal winger cut inside his marker and curled a trademark left-footed effort beyond Dominik Livaković in the 52nd minute. At 2-0, England looked set for a comfortable evening, only for Croatia to find a route back into the contest when Levi Colwill was judged to have handled in the area. Modrić, at 40 and playing in his record-equalling sixth World Cup, converted the penalty with his usual composure in the 81st minute.
England held firm through a frantic closing period to secure a victory that puts them in a strong position in Group L, with fixtures against Ghana and Panama to follow. For Croatia, the defeat is a blow but not a terminal one in an expanded format where three points from their remaining games could still be enough to advance. The night, however, belonged to England's young core and a winning start that justified the pre-tournament hype.
Sources: ESPN — England 2-1 Croatia: Bellingham and Saka guide Three Lions to winning start · Sky Sports — England 2-1 Croatia: Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka on target in Group L opener · FIFA — England vs Croatia 2-1 match report and highlights
