Last Updated on 18/06/2026 by TinHN Editor
Live update results and highlights: England vs Croatia. Full time: England 4-2 Croatia: A good match for England captain Harry Kane, but Croatia refuse to lie down.
- England 4-2 Croatia (Rashford 85): Game over! Saka skips down the right touchline and looks for Spence. His pass doesn’t find his man, but he regains the ball and rolls infield for Rashford, who is free on the edge of the box. Rashford chops inside, gives Livakovic the eyes, and curls a low shot into the bottom right. Lovely England move! Saka magnificent, with a finish to match.
- England 3-2 Croatia (Bellingham 47): If England’s stars have been given the what-for, it’s certainly worked! Bellingham latches onto a long Anderson pass down the right. It was meant for Madueke. But Bellingham takes charge, and barrels off down the flank, powering infield, and lashing a low shot across Livakovic and into the bottom left!
- England 2-2 Croatia (Musa 45+5): The half looks to be petering out. Then suddenly Croatia snap into life. Pasalic dinks forwards. Perisic cushions a header down for Musa, who opens his body and sidefoots across Pickford and into the bottom right!
- England 2-1 Croatia (Kane 42): Rice sends the corner long. Kane steals in on the penalty spot, and powers a downward header into the bottom left. Pow! Easy as that, and Livakovic had no chance whatsoever!
- England 1-1 Croatia (Baturina 36): Croatia suddenly snap into life, and suddenly Croatia are level! Sucic advances down the right and cuts back for Baturina, romping in from the flank. A first-time rising shot flies across Pickford and into the top left! That’s an absolute belter!
- Kane doesn’t tippy-toe his run-up this time. He slams the spot kick into the right-hand portion of the net, the keeper going the wrong way, and England lead!
- 10 min: Kane performs the tippy toes … and scuffs a dismal penalty towards the bottom right. Livakovic saves, and the ball’s cleared. But Gvardiol has encroached, so Kane will get a second chance!
- 9 min: The corner comes in. Croatia don’t clear it. Madueke gets to a dropping ball first. Modric doesn’t see him, and in attempting to hook clear, kicks the England player. He’s just given the ball away, and now he’s given away a penalty. What a terrible 60 seconds for Croatia’s captain!
Live results: England vs Croatia
The last time England and Croatia met at a World Cup, it was the semi-final in Moscow. Croatia came from behind — twice — to beat England 2–1 after extra time and eliminate the Three Lions one match from the final. Ivan Perišić’s equaliser. Mario Mandžukić’s winner. A nation left to wonder what might have been.
Eight years later, Thomas Tuchel’s England arrive in Dallas as heavy favourites and one of the genuine contenders to win this tournament. Croatia are older, deeper into the transition from their golden generation, and facing questions about how much Luka Modrić at 40 has left in the tank.
Three points here would give either side a significant advantage in a Group L that also contains Ghana and Panama — both beatable — and potentially seal progression to the knockout rounds with games to spare.
Match Facts England vs Croatia
| England | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA Ranking | 5 | 9 |
| World Cup appearances | 16 | 6 |
| Best World Cup finish | Winner (1966) | Runner-up (2018) |
| Head-to-head (World Cups) | D1 (2018 semi-final, after ET) | W1 |
| Recent form | W W W W W W | W W W L W |
England: Tuchel’s Transformation
The appointment of Thomas Tuchel as England head coach — following Gareth Southgate’s departure after Euro 2024 — has shifted the tactical conversation significantly. Where Southgate prioritised defensive solidity and pragmatism, Tuchel wants controlled possession, high pressing triggers, and attacking players given licence to express themselves.
The results in qualifying were extraordinary: eight matches, eight wins, 22 goals scored, zero conceded. The warm-up form has been more nuanced — a 1–0 defeat to Japan in March and a 1–1 draw with Uruguay raised questions — but wins over Costa Rica (3–0) and New Zealand (1–0) in the final pre-tournament games confirmed the squad is tournament-ready.
Jude Bellingham at 22 is England’s most complete midfielder — comfortable pressing, carrying, creating, and scoring from deep. This is his first World Cup as the unambiguous number one, and the pressure and expectation that comes with that role will be tested from the first whistle in Dallas.
Harry Kane (32) needs no introduction but remains a question mark in major tournament football despite his extraordinary club record. At Bayern Munich last season he was world-class — leading the Bundesliga in goals and assists. The scrutiny of his England record in tournament knockout football is real, but this opener gives him the opportunity to set a different tone from the start.
Bukayo Saka — reliable, direct, two-footed — is England’s most consistent performer and gives Tuchel a right-sided outlet who can both create and press effectively. Anthony Gordon on the left provides pace and direct running.
Recent form: Won 3–0 vs Costa Rica · Won 1–0 vs New Zealand · Lost 0–1 vs Japan (March) · Drew 1–1 vs Uruguay (March) · Won 2–0 vs Albania (World Cup qualifying)
Croatia: The End of an Era, Not Yet
Zlatko Dalić is taking Croatia into their fourth consecutive World Cup — an achievement that says everything about the durability of this generation. But the window is closing. The core of the squad that reached the 2018 final and the 2022 third-place play-off is noticeably older, and Croatia’s younger players have not yet provided a clear succession plan.
Luka Modrić at 40 is the most pressing selection question. He suffered a cheekbone fracture before the tournament and is expected to feature, wearing a protective face mask, but whether he starts from the off or is introduced as an impact substitute is genuinely unclear. His passing range and game intelligence still set Croatia’s tempo when he is on the pitch; without him at full capacity, they are a different team.
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) is Croatia’s best player — a left-sided centre-back / fullback who can carry the ball out from defence and contributes going forward. He is one of the finest defenders in world football at 22 and gives Croatia a quality that will be tested against Saka’s direct running on England’s right.
Andrej Kramarić leads the line. Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City) is available and fit. Ivan Perišić — scorer in the 2018 semi-final against England — remains in the squad.
Recent form: Won 2–1 vs Slovenia (June 7) · Lost 0–2 vs Belgium (June 2) · Lost 1–3 vs Brazil · Won 3–1 vs Ghana · Won 2–0 vs Slovakia
Predicted Lineups England vs Croatia
England (4-2-3-1)
| GK | Pickford |
|---|---|
| RB | James |
| CB | Stones |
| CB | Guehi |
| LB | Livramento |
| DM | Rice |
| DM | Mainoo |
| RW | Saka |
| AM | Bellingham |
| LW | Gordon |
| ST | Kane (c) |
Bench options: Trippier, Konsa, Palmer, Foden, Rashford, Watkins
Key tactical note: Declan Rice operates as the defensive anchor, protecting the back four and recycling possession. His battle with Croatia’s midfield — potentially Modrić and Kovačić — is the game’s pivotal duel.
Croatia (4-2-3-1)
| GK | Livaković |
|---|---|
| RB | Stanišić |
| CB | Šutalo |
| CB | Gvardiol |
| LB | Pongračić |
| DM | Kovačić |
| DM | Modrić (c) |
| RW | Vlašić |
| AM | Pašalić |
| LW | Perišić |
| ST | Kramarić |
Key injury update: Modrić (cheekbone fracture) — expected to play with a protective mask. Starting XI or introduced from the bench is the live selection question heading into Wednesday.
Tactical Analysis
England’s structure under Tuchel is built on two distinct phases: a high press in the opponent’s half when the trigger is right, and a possession-based build-up when they have the ball. The pressing game requires Bellingham, Saka, and Gordon to work in coordinated pressing traps — something Tuchel drilled through qualifying.
Croatia’s response will be patient. Dalić knows his side cannot match England’s intensity for 90 minutes and will look to weather the early storm, retain possession through Kovačić and Modrić in deep positions, and exploit transitions through Kramarić’s movement and Perišić’s crossing from the left.
The key positional battle: Saka vs. Gvardiol. England’s right winger against Croatia’s best defender. Gvardiol was outstanding for Manchester City last season — composed, aggressive in duels, and technically capable of playing his way out of pressure. If Saka can beat him consistently, England have a direct route into the penalty area. If Gvardiol keeps him quiet, England will need to go through the middle.
Kane’s movement off Croatia’s centre-backs — Šutalo and Gvardiol dropping deeper to cover — will be crucial. If he can find pockets of space in behind, England are dangerous from direct balls and from Bellingham’s late runs.
Croatia’s danger from set pieces is real. Their taller centre-backs — Šutalo at 6’3″, Gvardiol at 6’2″ — give them genuine aerial threat at corners and free kicks. England have conceded from set pieces in recent fixtures, and this is a vulnerability Croatia will target.
Head-to-Head (Selected)
| Year | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Croatia 2–1 England (aet) | World Cup Semi-final |
| 2021 | England 1–0 Croatia | Euro 2020 Group Stage |
| 2022 | England 3–3 Croatia | UEFA Nations League |
| 2023 | England 2–1 Croatia | Euro 2024 Qualifying |
England have won the more recent encounters but carry the psychological scar of 2018. Croatia have proven — twice — that they can beat England when it matters most.
Prediction England vs Croatia
England are superior in squad quality and have the tactical flexibility under Tuchel that previous England managers lacked. Croatia are experienced and dangerous from set pieces, but their best-case scenario is a draw — a three-point result for England would likely seal Group L qualification with games to spare.
Bellingham will have the freedom to drive at Croatia’s midfield. Kane will find space. England should win.
Score prediction: England 2–1 Croatia
Kane opens the scoring. Bellingham adds the second. Croatia score late from a set piece — Modrić’s delivery from a free kick — to make for a tense final 15 minutes, but England hold.
Key player to watch: Jude Bellingham — his first World Cup as England’s undisputed leader. The match will be shaped by how much space Croatia’s ageing midfield gives him to operate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does England vs Croatia kick off? England vs Croatia kicks off at 4:00 PM ET on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington (Dallas), Texas. In the UK: 9:00 PM BST. In Vietnam: 3:00 AM on Thursday, June 18.
Where can I watch England vs Croatia? In the US: Fox Sports. In the UK: ITV1 / ITVX (free). In Vietnam: VTV3, VTV Go, FPT Play.
What group are England and Croatia in at World Cup 2026? England and Croatia are both in Group L, alongside Ghana and Panama.
Did Croatia beat England at the last World Cup? Croatia beat England 2–1 after extra time in the 2018 World Cup semi-final in Moscow. England have won both encounters since — at Euro 2020 (group stage) and in qualifying for Euro 2024.
Is Luka Modrić playing at World Cup 2026? Yes. Modrić is in Croatia’s 2026 squad at the age of 40, making this his fifth and almost certainly final World Cup. He suffered a cheekbone fracture before the tournament and may play with a protective face mask.
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