Harry Kane scored twice in the first half as England launched their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia in Texas. Jude Bellingham added a third goal immediately after halftime, and substitute Marcus Rashford sealed the win with five minutes remaining, ensuring a positive start for manager Thomas Tuchel's squad.

The match, a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semifinal, saw England take an early lead through Kane's penalty in the 12th minute. However, Croatia fought back, with Martin Baturina and Petar Musa scoring to level the game at 2-2. The victory marks a significant moment for England, who are aiming to win their first major trophy since 1966.

Kane's opening goal came from a penalty that had to be retaken after the Croatian goalkeeper, Dominik Livakovic, was deemed to have come off his line. Kane converted the second attempt ruthlessly. Despite England creating further chances, Croatia managed to equalize before halftime, setting the stage for a tense second half.

Immediately after the break, Jude Bellingham put England back in front, demonstrating the attacking prowess of Thomas Tuchel’s side. The win was ultimately secured by Rashford's late goal, despite England having numerous opportunities to extend their lead earlier in the second half.

The game was played in front of a crowd of 70,000 at the air-conditioned stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The unusual setting led to a mid-game drinks break, met with boos from the crowd, as the roof was closed and the external Texas heat was not a factor.

Croatia, one of the older squads in the tournament, had previously defeated England in the 2018 semifinal after extra time. This victory represents a measure of revenge for England, who have since had a more favorable record against the Croatian team.

England's performance, while resulting in a win, also highlighted defensive vulnerabilities, as Croatia managed to find the back of the net twice. The team will need to address these issues as they progress further into the tournament.

Manager Thomas Tuchel's strategy and player selections, including preferring Bellingham in the number 10 role over Morgan Rogers, will be scrutinized following this opening fixture. The team's ability to convert chances and maintain defensive solidity will be key to their aspirations of lifting the World Cup trophy.