World Cup Group Stage - 1
England 4 - 2 FT Croatia
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
12' H. Kane
M. Baturina (P. Sucic) 36'
42' H. Kane (D. Rice)
P. Musa (I. Perisic) 45'+5
HT
47' J. Bellingham (E. Anderson)
↓ L. Modric ↑M. Kovacic 58'
↓ L. Vuskovic ↑M. Pasalic 66'
↓ P. Musa ↑I. Matanovic 66'
72' ↓ A. Gordon ↑M. Rashford
72' ↓ N. Madueke ↑B. Saka
72' ↓ D. Rice ↑M. Rogers
↓ M. Baturina ↑N. Vlasic 78'
↓ M. Pasalic ↑A. Kramaric 79'
80' ↓ J. Bellingham ↑D. Spence
85' M. Rashford (B. Saka)
87' ↓ J. Stones ↑M. Guehi
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
England
Goalkeepers
Jordan Pickford 
MAGNET
56
Activity
56
Activity
55
Passes
1
Duels
Defenders
Reece James 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ezri Konsa 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
John Stones 
NPC
87
Minutes
87
Minutes
62%
Pass Acc
6.5
Rating
Nico O'Reilly
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Midfielders
Elliot Anderson 
SWEEPER
4
Cleanups
4
Cleanups
4
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Declan Rice 
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
1
Assists
32%
Pass Acc
Noni Madueke
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
72
Total Mins
72
Entry
Jude Bellingham 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
7.6
Rating
Anthony Gordon 
GHOST
14
Actions
14
Actions
72
Minutes
6.2
Rating
Forwards
Harry Kane 
HITMAN
2
Goals
2
Goals
3
On Target
8.3
Rating
BENCH
Dean Henderson 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
James Trafford
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Dan Burn
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Djed Spence
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jarell Quansah
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marc Guéhi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
7
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Eberechi Eze
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jordan Henderson
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kobbie Mainoo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Morgan Rogers
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bukayo Saka 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
22
Minutes
7
Rating
Ivan Toney
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marcus Rashford 
CLUTCH HERO
85
Goal Time
85
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.2
Rating
Ollie Watkins
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Croatia
Goalkeepers
Dominik Livaković
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Josip Šutalo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luka Vušković
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
Joško Gvardiol
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Josip Stanišić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luka Modrić 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
1
Fouls
6
Rating
Mario Pašalić
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
79
Total Mins
79
Entry
Ivan Perišić 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
3
Key Passes
6.9
Rating
Forwards
Petar Sučić
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.3
Rating
Martin Baturina 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Petar Musa
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
BENCH
Dominik Kotarski
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Ivor Pandur
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Duje Ćaleta-Car
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marin Pongračić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Martin Erlić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mateo Kovačić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
36
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kristijan Jakić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luka Sučić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nikola Moro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nikola Vlašić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Toni Fruk
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marco Pašalić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Igor Matanović
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Andrej Kramarić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ante Budimir
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/13/2021 | England | 1 - 0 | Croatia | Euro Championship | Wembley Stadium |
| 11/18/2018 | England | 2 - 1 | Croatia | UEFA Nations League | Wembley Stadium |
| 10/12/2018 | Croatia | 0 - 0 | England | UEFA Nations League | Stadion Rujevica |
| 07/11/2018 | Croatia | 2 - 1 (AET) | England | World Cup | Stadion Luzhniki |
England Win
Croatia Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Six-Goal Thriller at AT&T Stadium Ends in English Triumph
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 100/100. Our verdict on this frantic showdown is an essential watch, driven by relentless attacking waves, brilliant goalkeeping heroics, and goals of the highest quality.
The Opening Shootout
An explosive start at AT&T Stadium saw England immediately impose their will on Croatia. The Intensity spiked early when H. Kane coolly dispatched a 12th-minute penalty, setting the tone for a breathless encounter. Rather than retreat, the Croatians fought back, restoring parity through M. Baturina just past the half-hour mark after a slick ball from P. Sucic. The opening 45 minutes quickly evolved into a genuine shootout. The Balance swung wildly as Kane bagged his second, converting a precise D. Rice assist. Yet, deep into first-half stoppage time, P. Musa stunned the Three Lions, latching onto a delivery from I. Perisic to level it again before the break.
The Lightning Pivot
The sheer volume of chances told the real story, with the English attacking lines turning the pitch into a shooting gallery. England edged possession at 52%, but their 21 total shots demanded constant heroics from Dominik Livaković. The Croatian goalkeeper was under absolute siege, producing seven crucial saves to deny attempt after attempt. However, he could do nothing about the decisive shift right after the interval. Just two minutes into the second half, J. Bellingham connected with E. Anderson to brutally alter the match's trajectory. This lightning-fast strike broke Croatian resistance and perfectly captured the massive Stakes of this crunch World Cup fixture.
Subs Seal the Deal
Trailing by a single goal, the Croatian side pushed forward with desperate intent, leaving gaping holes at the back. The England manager turned to his bench, aiming to exploit those tiring defensive legs in the final third. Any lingering Upset factor faded completely in the 85th minute. Substitute M. Rashford proved to be the ultimate weapon, burying a pass from fellow substitute B. Saka to make it 4-2. This lethal combination cemented England’s position at the top of Group 1, answering any lingering questions about their offensive firepower while leaving Croatia searching for vital defensive answers.
Key Questions
What caused the 6-goal thriller?
England's relentless 21-shot attack clashed with Croatia's clinical counter-strikes, leading to constant lead changes and breathless end-to-end action.
What does this mean for England's season?
With three points secured, England seize immediate control of their World Cup group, putting them in prime position for knockout qualification.
How did substitute Harry Kane change the game?
Kane actually started the match, scoring a crucial brace. It was substitutes Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka who changed the late game by combining for the final goal.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
World Cup Opener Carries Knockout Weight
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 26/100. While it is only the first group stage fixture, the tight margins in international football mean both sides must treat this clash like a do-or-die knockout tie.
The Setup
On June 17, 2026, the spotlight falls on AT&T Stadium as two European heavyweights collide. The opening match of a major tournament always sets the tone, and surviving this early test is crucial for a deep run. England enter the pitch with immense pressure to dictate the tempo, while Croatia will look to frustrate and control possession. A massive Balance rating underlines just how evenly matched these units are on paper, despite early metrics showing lower Stakes and fewer runaway Stars ahead of kickoff. With zero match data to establish Form, both nations are starting with a completely clean slate.
Key Battle
The defining clash will take place in the middle of the park. The English midfield must find a way to break through the famously resilient and rhythmic Croatian central block. If the away side dictates the passing tempo, they can starve the English forward line of service. Conversely, if England's pressing units can disrupt the Croatian build-up, rapid transitions will punish any defensive hesitation.
Our Prediction
A cagey 1-1 draw. Opening fixtures at this level are notoriously tense, with neither manager wanting to risk an early exit by overcommitting. Expect a slow start, a tactical chess match in the second half, and a shared point that keeps both teams alive.