Ed Aarons at Dallas Stadium 

England 4-2 Croatia: World Cup 2026 Group L player ratings

Harry Kane gave a fine captain’s performance while Dominik Livakovic stopped the scoreline running away from Croatia
  
  

Harry Kane wheels away after coolly slotting in his retaken penalty
Harry Kane wheels away after coolly slotting in his retaken penalty. Photograph: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

England (4-2-3-1)

Jordan Pickford Could have done better with Baturina’s goal. Made crucial late save to keep England ahead but looked shaky. 6

Reece James At fault for losing his man for second equaliser. Dangerous in attack, not so good defensively. 6

Ezri Konsa Struggled in first half. Improved after break but his place could come under pressure from Marc Guéhi. 6

John Stones Looked rusty and made a nervy start. Improved as the game went on, needs minutes badly. 6

Nico O’Reilly Got forward at every opportunity and should have scored from a corner. A work in progress at the back. 7

Elliot Anderson Kept things ticking over nicely in midfield. Excellent ball to set up Bellingham’s goal. 8

Declan Rice Produced pinpoint corner for Kane’s header. Not his usual dominant self in midfield and looks fatigued after a long season. 7

Noni Madueke Won England’s penalty and looked very dangerous down right flank in place of Bukayo Saka. 8

Jude Bellingham Guilty of losing the ball in buildup to Croatia’s first goal. But made amends in style with a brilliant goal. 7

Anthony Gordon On the periphery for most of the first half and couldn’t make an impact despite his best efforts. 6

Harry Kane Played more like a quarterback than a striker at times but still equalled England’s World Cup finals scoring record. 9

Substitutes: Marcus Rashford (for Gordon 72) Picked his spot brilliantly for his goal that even Livakovic couldn’t get near 7; Morgan Rogers (for Rice 72) Struggled in central midfield and looked far more comfortable further forward. Great ball to set up Spence 6; Bukayo Saka (for Madueke 72) A surprise to see him given injury concerns but played part in Rashford’s clincher 7; Djed Spence (for Bellingham 80) Should have scored moments after coming on but denied by Livakovic 6; Marc Guéhi (for Stones 87) A late introduction when the game was already won 6

Croatia (3-4-2-1)

Dominik Livakovic Off his line too early for penalty but some unbelievable stops to keep a rampant England at bay. 9

Josip Sutalo Didn’t know whether to track Kane when he dropped deep and was caught out on more than one occasion. 5

Luka Vuskovic The teenager lost sight of Kane for England’s second goal but Tottenham have a real prospect on their hands. 7

Josko Gvardiol The Manchester City defender had his hands full with Madueke. 6

Josip Stanisic A lively presence down the right flank for Croatia and often got the better of O’Reilly. 7

Luka Modric A surprise to see him give away an early penalty for fouling Madueke. But still oozes class despite his advancing years. 7

Mario Pasalic Decent strike went just wide at the end of first half but lost out in midfield battle. 6

Ivan Perisic Such a clever header to set up the second equaliser. Has incredible energy for a 37-year-old. 7

Petar Sucic Brilliant assist for Baturina’s goal, missed a great chance late on after Pickford fumble. 7

Martin Baturina Took his goal brilliantly and the Como forward caused England problems with direct approach. 7

Petar Musa The FC Dallas striker volleyed past Pickford with aplomb and was a real handful for England’s defenders. 7

Substitutes: Mateo Kovacic (for Modric 58) Couldn’t wrestle back control other than for a five minute period 6; Marco Pasalic (for Vuskovic 66) Almost equalised not long after coming on but was denied by Pickford 6; Igor Matanovic (for Musa 66) Could do nothing about Rashford’s goal after Croatia were carved open 6; Nikola Vlasic (for Baturina 78) Tried to inject some urgency to Croatia’s attack in the final stages 6; Andrej Kramaric (for Mario Pasalic 79) A real handful when he came on for last 10 minutes but couldn’t find equaliser 7

 

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