Will England or Croatia claim a winning start in Group L? Follow our live commentary. © Graphic studio FMM

England - Croatia: Relive the Three Lions' victory in their World Cup opener

· France 24

Official lineups

England : Pickford - James, Stones, Konsa, O'Reilly - Anderson, Rice - Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon - Kane

Croatia : Livakovic - Gvardiol, Vuskovic, Sutalo - Stanisic, Modric, Sucic, Perisic - Baturina, Musa, Pasalic

18/06/2026 - 00:07

And that's all

Thank you for following England - Croatia with us. Find the full match recap below:

17/06/2026 - 23:58

6 minutes of added time

17/06/2026 - 23:50

Rashford seals it!

Bukayo Saka lays the ball off to Marcus Rashford, who finishes with clinical precision from close range into the bottom right corner!

17/06/2026 - 23:46

Sucic wastes the chance

Luka Sucic attempts to volley a rebound from Pickford but his effort sails wide. A chance goes begging for Croatia

17/06/2026 - 23:44
17/06/2026 - 23:43

England refresh their attack

Rogers replaces Rice in midfield while Saka comes on for Madueke on the wing. Tuchel wants to maintain the pressure

17/06/2026 - 23:38

Croatia keep reshuffling

Matanović replaces Musa and Pasalic comes on for Vuskovic. Croatia desperately seeking fresh legs as they trail

17/06/2026 - 23:37

Cooling break

17/06/2026 - 23:36

Turpin's call

Sucic's effort appears to go out but Turpin awards a goal kick instead of a corner. Croatia's opportunity denied

17/06/2026 - 23:34

Change for Croatia

Mateo Kovacic replaces Luka Modric in the 58th minute

17/06/2026 - 23:31

17/06/2026 - 23:30

Livakovic keeps Croatia alive

Kane tests the Croatian goalkeeper twice in quick succession, but Livakovic stands tall with two crucial saves. The Vatreni are under the cosh but their custodian refuses to let England put the game beyond reach.

17/06/2026 - 23:20

GOAL! Bellingham!

What a goal from Jude Bellingham! The England midfielder weaves through the Croatian defence before striking brilliantly past Livakovic off the post

17/06/2026 - 23:02
17/06/2026 - 22:56

It's half-time

17/06/2026 - 22:55

What a match!!!

Perisic's header at the near post is converted by Musa at the back post. The Croats refuse to quit!

17/06/2026 - 22:46

5 minutes of added time

17/06/2026 - 22:44

King Harry doubles!!!

Harry Kane heads home from a Rice corner! He powers a header past Livakovic to restore England's lead!

17/06/2026 - 22:37

GOAAAAAAAAAAAL

What a finish from Martin Baturina! 

17/06/2026 - 22:37

James's cross blocked

Reece James attempts to find a teammate with a cross from the right but a Croatian defender intercepts and clears the danger

Always well-placed without ever claiming a second title in its history, modern England launches its World Cup 2026 against Croatia. Vice-champions of Europe begin with the toughest side of Group L, a clash against the team of 40-year-old veteran in Arlington, Texas, before facing the less-favoured Ghana and Panama.

Thomas Tuchel's selection choices have already sparked controversy ahead of the tournament, with debate over team composition and squad depth continuing to dominate headlines, but England arrive as one of the tournament's genuine contenders, boasting a golden generation of attacking talent. 

Croatia, meanwhile, continue to punch above their weight on the world stage, defying expectations for a nation of their size with a remarkable run to the 2018 World Cup final. 

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, Reuters and AP)