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VAR retake sparks England
Harry Kane’s first penalty in England’s World Cup opener against Croatia was saved by Dominik Livakovic, but referee Clement Turpin paused the game and ordered a retake after VAR intervened.
“Harry Kane scored twice in the first half as England eventually saw off Croatia 4-2 to launch their World Cup assault in Texas”
The Independent described replays showing Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol encroaching inside the area before Kane struck, and it said Kane then “dispatched the penalty at the second attempt” to the same side where Livakovic had made the initial save.
England went on to win 4-2 in their Group L clash at Dallas Stadium in Texas, with Kane scoring twice and Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford adding goals after the break.
Al Jazeera said Kane scored twice in the first half as England eventually saw off Croatia 4-2, with one goal coming from a retaken penalty.
ANI News reported that VAR forced the retake after Livakovic stepped off his line early, and Kane converted the second attempt to give England the lead.
Voices frame the drama
Jude Bellingham told ITV post-match that “The first half we were a little bit nervy, cagey - rushed a bit. The second half we created a nicer rhythm”.
The Guardian’s match account tied the penalty drama to the wider flow of the game, noting that after Livakovic left his line before Kane struck, “Clément Turpin ordered a retake.”
Al Jazeera described the same moment as French referee Clement Turpin ordering a retake after video replays deemed the stopper had come off his line.
The Guardian also recalled Thomas Tuchel’s prior criticism of Turpin, writing that Tuchel once described the referee as “terrible” and a “1/10” performer after Turpin had sent him off in a Champions League game.
ITVX reported that Lee Dixon said on ITV England produced close to a perfect performance, adding that despite Croatia being a “really difficult team to play against”, England “pretty much controlled the game”.
Kane’s milestones and next
ANI News said Kane became only the second England player to score in three separate FIFA World Cup tournaments (2018, 2022, 2026), joining David Beckham (1998, 2002, 2006).
“Harry Kane says he knew his stuttered run-up might draw goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic off his goalline, enabling him to score a penalty at the second attempt in England's 4-2 victory over Croatia in their World Cup opener”
The Independent added that Kane would have been relieved after his last World Cup game, against France four years ago in Qatar, was clouded by a crucial penalty miss, and it said he scored 10 penalties in the Bundesliga this season while striking 36 goals in total.
Morocco World News said the victory gives England three points and a strong start in a group that also includes Ghana and Panama, and it reported that England will next face Ghana on June 23 before meeting Panama on June 27.
CBC reported that Kane scored twice to equal the English record for World Cup goals, and it said the 32-year-old striker is up to 10 World Cup goals, tying Gary Lineker’s mark from the 1986 and 1990 tournaments.
talkSPORT said Kane created history by becoming the first player to score five World Cup penalties in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia, and it added that he then equalled Gary Lineker’s England record with his tenth goal in the global tournament.
