Harry Kane Scores Twice as England Draw Croatia 2-2 in Dallas, Texas

England and Croatia opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match with an action-packed first half in Dallas, Texas, with the teams tied 2-2 at the break.

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BBC

Harry Kane scored twice for England and, in the England vs Croatia player ratings today, was listed as the highest-rated player with a 7.72 WhoScored rating.

BBC

Croatia responded through Martin Baturina and Petar Musa to stay level, and the same ratings update put Baturina at 7.41 and Musa at 7.07.

The Heavy player ratings update said defensive problems prevented England from taking control, even as it highlighted Noni Madueke’s 7.19 rating for repeatedly attacking defenders.

Opta Analyst’s match centre also framed the opener as England’s campaign getting under way, noting the match is their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L meeting in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday.

The Heavy ratings update credited Declan Rice with a 6.60 rating for helping England maintain shape in midfield, while Jordan Pickford was rated 6.50 and Jude Bellingham finished with 6.40 despite close attention from Croatia’s midfielders.

Croatia’s experienced players were also singled out in the same ratings update, with Ivan Perišić rated 7.30 after producing an assist and staying a constant threat on the wing.

Heavy

Ahead of the match, Sports Illustrated said Thomas Tuchel opted against risking Bukayo Saka’s fitness with a start, with the Arsenal star missing a month at the end of the club season with an Achilles tendon issue.

Sports Illustrated quoted Tuchel warning last week: "Still not on his 100%."

Saka later told assembled media on Monday, "I am feeling a lot better than I did in March," and said, "I’m ready to go."

Opta Analyst’s pre-match facts placed the match in a broader context, saying it is the fourth match between England and Croatia at a major tournament this century, with England winning twice at the UEFA European Championship and Croatia winning once at the FIFA World Cup.

“Find all the latest England vs Croatia stats using our data-packed match centre as Harry Kane and co get their 2026 World Cup campaign under way”

Opta Analyst

Opta Analyst also highlighted that England have lost just one of their last eight World Cup openers, a 2-1 defeat to Italy in 2014, while Croatia have won only one of their last five opening matches.

Sofascore’s preview for the Group L opener in Arlington at AT&T Stadium described a match shaped by discipline and tempo, with French referee Clement Turpin taking charge and his record of 1,763 yellow cards, 103 reds and 36 second-yellows in 520 games.

It also pointed to England’s recent pattern of fast starts, saying they have been first to score in nine of their last ten matches, while Croatia have gone six matches without a clean sheet.

With the match under way in Dallas, Texas, the Heavy ratings update said the England vs Croatia player ratings update could still swing either way once the second half arrives.