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England's forward Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2026 World Cup Group L match v Croatia at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on June 17, 2026.[AFP]
England launched their World Cup bid with a rollercoaster 4-2 win against Croatia on Wednesday as Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal stumbled to a draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In an enthralling Group L game at the Texas home of the Dallas Cowboys NFL team, Harry Kane scored twice before goals from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford made the game safe as England began their bid to end a 60-year wait for a major trophy.
Kane got the ball rolling by slotting home a penalty at the second attempt after the referee ordered him to re-take it when Croatian 'keeper Dominik Livakovic was adjudged to have been off his line.
