World Cup 2026: England make flying start with 4-2 win over Croatia – in pictures

Time for a quick selfie outside the stadium. Photograph: Jessica Tobias/AP Share

England fans are in good spirits as they make their way into the stadium. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Share

Excitement builds in Dallas as kick-off approaches. Photograph: Maria Lysaker/Imagn Images/Reuters Share

Jude Bellingham exercises his vocal chords during the national anthem. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Share

Locals in Kumrovec, northern Croatia, watch the match projected on a barn wall. Photograph: Darko Bandić/AP Share

The game gets underway. Photograph: Dan Mullan/Fifa/Getty Images Share

After Luka Modric’s foul on Noni Madueke the referee points to the spot. Harry Kane’s stuttering run up gives Dominik Livakovic time to guess correctly and save the penalty. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters Share

Fans watching at Boxpark Wembley can’t believe it. Photograph: Steven Paston/PA Share

The referee orders the penalty to be retaken after Josko Gvardiol had encroached. This time Kane changes his run up and sends Livakovict the wrong way, giving England the lead. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters Share

Jordan Pickford is beaten by a stonking strike from Martin Baturina. Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters Share

Baturina celebrates with Ivan Perisic (above) after levelling the scores. Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters Share

There is an almost immediate response when Kane heads home to restore England’s lead. Photograph: Issei Kato/Reuters Share

A view of the header from behind the goal. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters Share

Harry’s happy. Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images Share

On the stroke of half-time, Perisic cushions a header down for Petar Musa, who opens his body and sidefoots across Pickford and Croatia are level for the second time. Photograph: Issei Kato/Reuters Share

Musa wheels away after scoring. Photograph: Alex Pantling/Fifa/Getty Images Share

Two minutes after the restart, Bellingham barrels down the right, cuts inside and lashes a shot across Livakovic and England have the lead again. Photograph: Alex Pantling/Fifa/Getty Images Share

Bellingham (left) is congratulated on his goal by Kane. Photograph: Marvin Ibo Guengoer/GES Sportfoto/Getty Images Share

England push forward seeking to extend their lead but find Dominik Livakovic, in inspired form, this time saving from Ezri Konsa who followed up after Livakovic saved a header from Anthony Gordon (no 18). Photograph: Steph Chambers/Fifa/Getty Images Share

Fans watching at a fan fest in Boston celebrate after England find a way past Livakovic, when Marcus Rashford cuts inside the penalty area and curls a low shot into the bottom-right corner. Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP Share

Rashford enjoys his fine finish with Jordan Henderson. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images Share

The England fans in the stadium celebrate too. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Share

World Cup 2026: England make flying start with 4-2 win over Croatia – in pictures

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