Story perspectives

Kane Brace Ties Lineker Record as England Beats Croatia

6/19/2026

Summary

Kane Scores Brace

Harry Kane scored twice—a penalty and a header from a Declan Rice corner—as England beat Croatia 4-2 on June 17, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
The brace raised Kane’s total to 10, tying Gary Lineker’s England record and joining David Beckham as the only England players to score in three World Cups.
Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also scored, and England will face Ghana on June 23, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Summary

Dalic Warns Croatia

Gary Neville called the ten-minute spell tournament’s best so far, but did not label England favourites.
Thomas Tuchel praised the surge and said his halftime talk urged aggression.
Zlatko Dalic warned Croatia tighten set-piece defending after conceding twice to England.
Luka Modric earned his 199th cap, joining a group with over 200 appearances.
Martin Baturina’s equaliser and the rise of Petar Sucic and Josip Stanišic highlighted Croatia’s talent pool.

History

Historical Context

In the 1998 FIFA World Cup, hosted by France from 10 June to 12 July, England were drawn in Group G with Romania, Colombia and Tunisia. After beating Colombia and drawing with Tunisia, England advanced on goal difference, faced Argentina in the round-of-16 and reached the quarter-finals in a tournament that included 32 teams and 704 players.

1 of 3

Kane Scores Brace

Harry Kane scored twice—a penalty and a header from a Declan Rice corner—as England beat Croatia 4-2 on June 17, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
The brace raised Kane’s total to 10, tying Gary Lineker’s England record and joining David Beckham as the only England players to score in three World Cups.
Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also scored, and England will face Ghana on June 23, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.

1 / 3