Round 1 ·
England
4-2-3-1
Thomas Tuchel
WinnerHT: 2-2
Croatia
3-4-2-1
Zlatko Dalic
Updated:
Half Time
2–2
90 Min
4–2
Goal Scorers
Assists
Ball Possession
Corners
Counter Attacks
Fouls
Free Kicks
Goal Attempts
Goal Kicks
Goals
Offsides
Red Cards
Saves
Shots Off Target
Shots On Target
Substitutions
Throws In
Treatments
Yellow Cards
Attacks
Dangerous Attacks
Total Passes
England
4-2-3-1 · Thomas Tuchel
Goalkeeper
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Croatia
3-4-2-1 · Zlatko Dalic
Goalkeeper
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Post-Match Analysis · Full Time
For supporters in Cyprus, the result carried clear group significance, with England now sitting above Ghana on the early table and Croatia needing a response after one game.
The scoring pattern told the story of England's control and Croatia's brief resistance. That first half left little breathing space for either coach, but England found another gear after the interval. The home team moved in front again in the 47th minute and finished the job with a fourth goal in the 85th minute, turning a contest of swings into a result defined by England's late authority.
Match picture at AT&T Stadium was shaped by the numbers as much as the scoreline. England finished with 4 goals for and 2 against, a +2 goal difference and 1 win from 1 played, while Croatia left with 2 goals for and 4 against from 1 played, alongside 1 loss. The contrast in records was visible in the table as well as on the pitch: England's 3 points put them first, and Croatia's 0 points placed them fourth. For Cyprus viewers following World Cup Group L, that opening gap gives the home side early control and forces Croatia into an immediate chase.
England's shape was listed as 4-2-3-1 and Croatia's as 3-4-2-1, and the numbers from the match fit that balance of risk and reward. England produced 4 goals from a game that was tied twice, yet still ended with a two-goal margin. Croatia managed 2 goals and kept the contest alive into the 47th minute, but their 4 goals against underlined the cost of conceding the decisive moments. That combination of scoring and concession now leaves England with the early edge in the section, while Croatia must recover quickly from a first outing that already features both goals and pressure in equal measure.
For Cyprus fans, the game also fitted neatly around the local broadcast window at Wednesday 17 June, 23:00 EEST on Cytavision, bringing a high-scoring Group L opener into a late-night slot. AT&T Stadium provided the stage, but the standings are what will linger: England on 3 points, Croatia on 0, and Ghana chasing the leader by 3 points. In a group that has only just begun, England have already banked the result they needed, while Croatia have an early lesson in how quickly one match can reshape the table.
The winner and the margin both matter now, because England's first-place start gives them the early advantage in World Cup Group L and leaves Croatia with work to do after Round 1.
Pre-Match Analysis · Full Time
England and Croatia will arrive at AT&T Stadium in Arlington with first place already shaped by the numbers in World Cup Group L. Croatia sit 1st and England 2nd, both on 0 points, both with 0 played, 0 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses, and identical goal figures at 0 for and 0 against. That means this opening game will not just start a campaign; it will immediately decide who moves out in front and who has to chase from behind.
For Thomas Tuchel's England, the appeal is obvious: a home side in the table only by designation, but one that will want to use the opening night to seize control. Zlatko Dalic's Croatia are listed top of the group, and that simple ranking gives the visitors a clear reference point before a ball is kicked. With both teams carrying the same early record, the match in Arlington will be about who handles the pressure of being first, second, and level on every counting stat that matters.
The wider shape of the game is just as tight. The second_place_gap is 0, with Croatia ahead of England on 0 points to 0, so this fixture will begin with no cushion and no margin. In that setting, the first decisive spell should matter more than any long pre-match theory. If one side settles faster at AT&T Stadium, the opening advantage will be real because the table is already arranged around that gap of 0.
There is also a simple psychological edge attached to the competition labels. Croatia are already marked 1st in World Cup Group L, while England are 2nd, and that ordering will be challenged from the first whistle. In a contest with 0 goal difference for both sides, no one can lean on past output inside this group. The opening round therefore asks a direct question of both coaches: whether Tuchel's England can turn the status of the fixture into early control, or whether Dalic's Croatia will preserve top spot and make the chase harder for England from the start.
For readers in Cyprus, the timing adds another layer of relevance. Wednesday 17 June, 23:00 EEST makes this a late-night group opener, and Cytavision is the listed viewing route for local fans following the action from home. With Cyprus audiences able to watch the same first-place battle from the start, the match carries the kind of immediate table significance that is easy to track even before kickoff. World Cup Group L will not stay level for long once these two sides begin, and every minute at AT&T Stadium should matter in the race between 1st and 2nd.
What comes next is straightforward: the winner will take an early grip on World Cup Group L, while the side that slips will have immediate ground to make up.
That's it! The referee blows the final whistle
Ball possession: England: 52%, Croatia: 48%.
Jordan Pickford from England intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Goal kick for Croatia
Harry Kane goes for goal, but his effort was never close to hitting the target.
Morgan Rogers creates a scoring opportunity for his teammate
England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Marco Pasalic relieves the pressure with a clearance
The referee signals a free kick as Petar Sucic from Croatia trips Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Goal kick for Croatia
Petar Sucic makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
England start a counter attack
Harry Kane successfully blocks the shot
A shot by Josko Gvardiol is blocked
Josip Sutalo wins an air challenge against Nico O'Reilly
Ivan Perisic from Croatia swings in the corner from the left.
Djed Spence relieves the pressure with a clearance
Elliot Anderson from England goes a bit too far there as the pulls down Mateo Kovacic
Reece James successfully blocks the shot
A shot by Andrej Kramaric is blocked
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Safe hands from Jordan Pickford as he comes out and claims the ball
Reece James from England intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Croatia take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Croatia take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Harry Kane relieves the pressure with a clearance
Josko Gvardiol makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Nico O'Reilly from England intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
The fourth official shows there are 6 minute(s) of time to be added
The referee signals a free kick as Nikola Vlasic from Croatia trips Ezri Konsa
Ball possession: England: 53%, Croatia: 47%.
Goal kick for Croatia
England are in control of the ball.
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
England are in control of the ball.
Reece James makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
John Stones is leaving the field to be replaced by Marc Guehi in a tactical substitution.
Bukayo Saka provided the assist for the goal.
G O O O A A A L - Marcus Rashford scores with the right foot!
Bukayo Saka creates a scoring opportunity for his teammate
England are trying to create something here.
England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Ball possession: England: 53%, Croatia: 47%.
Mateo Kovacic shoots from outside the box, but Jordan Pickford has it under control
Mateo Kovacic tries his luck from distance but his effort ends up safely in the hands of Jordan Pickford
Bukayo Saka from England intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Croatia are trying to create something here.
Bukayo Saka from England intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Jordan Pickford relieves the pressure with a clearance
Croatia are trying to create something here.
Nico O'Reilly relieves the pressure with a clearance
Reckless challenge there. Reece James commits a rough foul on Igor Matanovic
Marco Pasalic makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Dominik Livakovic makes a crucial save!
Good effort by Djed Spence as he directs a shot on target, but Dominik Livakovic saves it
Morgan Rogers creates a scoring opportunity for his teammate
England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Goal kick for England
Petar Sucic fails to find the target with a shot from outside the box
Jordan Pickford from England intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Elliot Anderson from England intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Ball possession: England: 54%, Croatia: 46%.
Jude Bellingham is leaving the field to be replaced by Djed Spence in a tactical substitution.
Igor Matanovic is penalised for pushing Ezri Konsa
Mario Pasalic is leaving the field to be replaced by Andrej Kramaric in a tactical substitution.
Martin Baturina is leaving the field to be replaced by Nikola Vlasic in a tactical substitution.
Mario Pasalic from Croatia is ruled offside
Croatia are trying to create something here.
Igor Matanovic shoots from outside the box, but Jordan Pickford has it under control
Igor Matanovic tries his luck from distance but his effort ends up safely in the hands of Jordan Pickford
Croatia take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
England are in control of the ball.
Good effort by Marco Pasalic as he directs a shot on target, but Jordan Pickford saves it
John Stones relieves the pressure with a clearance
Croatia are trying to create something here.
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Dominik Livakovic relieves the pressure with a clearance
Josip Stanisic could cost his team a goal after a defensive blunder.
Ball possession: England: 55%, Croatia: 45%.
Josip Sutalo relieves the pressure with a clearance
England are trying to create something here.
Today's attendance is 70389
The ref blows his whistle. Ivan Perisic charged Bukayo Saka from behind and it's a free-kick
Elliot Anderson from England intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
The game is restarted
Noni Madueke is leaving the field to be replaced by Bukayo Saka in a tactical substitution.
Anthony Gordon is leaving the field to be replaced by Marcus Rashford in a tactical substitution.
Declan Rice is leaving the field to be replaced by Morgan Rogers in a tactical substitution.
Ball possession: England: 56%, Croatia: 44%.
Water break. It's hot out there today and the game is paused so the players can take some liquids on-board.
Josip Stanisic successfully blocks the shot
A shot by Anthony Gordon is blocked
Harry Kane creates a scoring opportunity for his teammate
The cross by Noni Madueke from England successfully finds a teammate in the box.
England are in control of the ball.
England are in control of the ball.
Igor Matanovic is penalised for pushing Jordan Pickford
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Petar Musa is leaving the field to be replaced by Igor Matanovic in a tactical substitution.
Luka Vuskovic is leaving the field to be replaced by Marco Pasalic in a tactical substitution.
Josip Stanisic makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
England are in control of the ball.
The referee signals a free kick as Mateo Kovacic from Croatia trips Elliot Anderson
Ball possession: England: 54%, Croatia: 46%.
Goal kick for England
Croatia are trying to create something here.
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Harry Kane is penalised for pushing Mateo Kovacic
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Ivan Perisic is penalised for pushing John Stones
Elliot Anderson wins an air challenge against Petar Musa
Goal kick for Croatia
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Croatia take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Ball possession: England: 51%, Croatia: 49%.
Josko Gvardiol wins an air challenge against Noni Madueke
England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Luka Modric is leaving the field to be replaced by Mateo Kovacic in a tactical substitution.
England are piling the pressure on and look like scoring anytime
Josip Stanisic from Croatia intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Dominik Livakovic relieves the pressure with a clearance
Harry Kane from England sends an effort wide of target
Harry Kane goes for goal, but the shot lacks precision and sails wide
Space opens up for Harry Kane but his finish goes wide of the target. Could have done better there.
Chance! Harry Kane finds some room for a shot but fails to work the keeper. It's a goal kick
Good effort by Harry Kane as he directs a shot on target, but Dominik Livakovic saves it
The cross by Elliot Anderson from England successfully finds a teammate in the box.
England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Dominik Livakovic relieves the pressure with a clearance
Declan Rice swings in the ball from a corner on the left, but it is nowhere near a teammate.
Luka Vuskovic from Croatia intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Dominik Livakovic makes a crucial save!
Oooh... that was a sitter! Ezri Konsa should have scored from that position
Good effort by Ezri Konsa as he directs a shot on target, but Dominik Livakovic saves it
Anthony Gordon sends a header towards goal, but Dominik Livakovic is there to comfortably save it
Nico O'Reilly sends a header towards goal, but Dominik Livakovic is there to comfortably save it
Declan Rice from England swings in the corner from the right.
Mario Pasalic relieves the pressure with a clearance
Ball possession: England: 49%, Croatia: 51%.
Goal kick for Croatia
England are in control of the ball.
Goal kick for Croatia
Declan Rice from England takes a short corner kick from the right.
Ivan Perisic from Croatia intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Ivan Perisic relieves the pressure with a clearance
Declan Rice swings in the ball from a corner on the right, but it is nowhere near a teammate.
Good effort by Declan Rice as he directs a shot on target, but Dominik Livakovic saves it
Harry Kane from England intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
John Stones from England goes a bit too far there as the pulls down Martin Baturina
Petar Musa wins an air challenge against John Stones
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Ball possession: England: 50%, Croatia: 50%.
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Nico O'Reilly wins an air challenge against Petar Musa
Goal kick for Croatia
A chance presents itself to Nico O'Reilly from England but his header goes wide
Declan Rice from England swings in the corner from the left.
Good effort by Jude Bellingham as he directs a shot on target, but Dominik Livakovic saves it
Declan Rice makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
A fantastic individual effort by Jude Bellingham!
Reece James made the key pass for the goal!
Elliot Anderson provided the assist for the goal.
Elliot Anderson provided the assist for the goal.
G O O O A A A L - Jude Bellingham scores with the right foot!
Elliot Anderson creates a scoring opportunity for his teammate
England are trying to create something here.
England are in control of the ball.
The second half is underway
It's over! The referee blows for half time
Ball possession: England: 48%, Croatia: 52%.
Mario Pasalic made the key pass for the goal!
Ivan Perisic provided the assist for the goal.
G O O O A A A L - Petar Musa volleys the ball into the back of the net with the right. A great finish!
Ivan Perisic creates a scoring opportunity for his teammate
The cross by Mario Pasalic from Croatia successfully finds a teammate in the box.
Croatia are trying to create something here.
Harry Kane is penalised for pushing Luka Modric
Goal kick for England
Mario Pasalic fails to find the target with a shot from outside the box
Croatia are trying to create something here.
England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Croatia are trying to create something here.
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Luka Modric successfully blocks the shot
Reece James takes the free-kick but it is blocked by the wall
The fourth official shows there are 5 minute(s) of time to be added
The referee signals a free kick as Mario Pasalic from Croatia trips Jude Bellingham
Ball possession: England: 52%, Croatia: 48%.
Ivan Perisic wins an air challenge against Reece James
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Croatia take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Goal kick for England
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Declan Rice provided the assist for the goal.
G O O O A A A L - Harry Kane England scores with a header.
Declan Rice from England swings in the corner from the right.
Luka Vuskovic relieves the pressure with a clearance
Ball possession: England: 54%, Croatia: 46%.
England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Ezri Konsa from England goes a bit too far there as the pulls down Petar Musa
The referee signals a free kick as Elliot Anderson from England trips Martin Baturina
Martin Baturina makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
With that goal, Croatia equalised. Game on!
A great goal by Martin Baturina
Martin Baturina made the key pass for the goal!
Petar Sucic provided the assist for the goal.
G O O O A A A L - Martin Baturina from Croatia beats the keeper from outside the box with the right foot!
Petar Sucic creates a scoring opportunity for his teammate
Luka Vuskovic makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Josip Sutalo from Croatia intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
A chance presents itself to Harry Kane from England but his header goes wide
Ball possession: England: 51%, Croatia: 49%.
Josip Stanisic from Croatia intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
England start a counter attack
Reece James wins an air challenge against Ivan Perisic
Nico O'Reilly from England goes a bit too far there as the pulls down Josip Stanisic
England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
The referee signals a free kick as Petar Sucic from Croatia trips Elliot Anderson
The referee signals a free kick as Petar Musa from Croatia trips Elliot Anderson
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Goal kick for Croatia
Jude Bellingham goes for goal, but his effort was never close to hitting the target.
The cross by Noni Madueke from England successfully finds a teammate in the box.
England are trying to create something here.
Croatia are trying to create something here.
Reece James from England intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Ball possession: England: 55%, Croatia: 45%.
John Stones wins an air challenge against Petar Musa
Croatia are in control of the ball.
The referee signals a free kick as Luka Vuskovic from Croatia trips Harry Kane
Elliot Anderson makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Luka Vuskovic makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Harry Kane could cost his team a goal after a defensive blunder.
Ivan Perisic wins an air challenge against Reece James
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Goal kick for Croatia
The game is restarted
Ball possession: England: 59%, Croatia: 41%.
Water break. It's hot out there today and the game is paused so the players can take some liquids on-board.
Goal kick for Croatia
England are in control of the ball.
Safe hands from Dominik Livakovic as he comes out and claims the ball
England start a counter attack
Reece James from England intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
The referee signals a free kick as Elliot Anderson from England trips Luka Vuskovic
Elliot Anderson makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Ball possession: England: 61%, Croatia: 39%.
Dangerous challenge by Declan Rice from England. Petar Sucic on the receiving end of that.
Safe hands from Dominik Livakovic as he comes out and claims the ball
England are in control of the ball.
Croatia are in control of the ball.
England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Ivan Perisic wins an air challenge against Declan Rice
Luka Vuskovic successfully blocks the shot
A shot by Elliot Anderson is blocked
Josip Sutalo relieves the pressure with a clearance
Declan Rice swings in the ball from a corner on the right, but it is nowhere near a teammate.
Luka Vuskovic successfully blocks the shot
A shot by Noni Madueke is blocked
England start a counter attack
Goal kick for England
Ball possession: England: 76%, Croatia: 24%.
Jude Bellingham relieves the pressure with a clearance
Croatia are trying to create something here.
Croatia are in control of the ball.
England are in control of the ball.
Ivan Perisic wins an air challenge against Reece James
Elliot Anderson wins an air challenge against Petar Musa
England managed to score the important first goal. Will they build on that?
G O O O A A A L - Harry Kane from England puts it away from the penalty spot with the right foot! Dominik Livakovic chose the wrong side.
Ball possession: England: 76%, Croatia: 24%.
VAR - PENALTY RETAKE! - After a VAR check, the penalty for England will be retaken due to an infringement.
VAR - PENALTY! - The referee has stopped the play. VAR check in progress, a potential penalty for England.
Josko Gvardiol relieves the pressure with a clearance
Harry Kane from England was not successful from the penalty spot.
PENALTY - Luka Modric from Croatia concedes a penalty for dangerous play against Noni Madueke.
Luka Vuskovic successfully blocks the shot
Ezri Konsa from England heads the ball, but it's a terrible effort nowhere near the goal.
Declan Rice from England swings in the corner from the right.
Josko Gvardiol successfully blocks the shot
A shot by Harry Kane is blocked
Luka Vuskovic from Croatia intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Luka Modric could cost his team a goal after a defensive blunder.
England are in control of the ball.
England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Elliot Anderson makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Ball possession: England: 75%, Croatia: 25%.
Jordan Pickford relieves the pressure with a clearance
Noni Madueke makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
England are in control of the ball.
Declan Rice from England intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Martin Baturina makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Goal kick for England
Josip Sutalo from Croatia fails to connect properly on the volley and sends the ball wide of target
Ivan Perisic from Croatia swings in the corner from the right.
Elliot Anderson could cost his team a goal after a defensive blunder.
England are in control of the ball.
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Luka Vuskovic relieves the pressure with a clearance
The pitch is in fantastic condition today and the players are enjoying the surface.
The weather only plays a minor part today, as the stadium roof has been taken into use
England kick-off, and the game is underway.
The referee starts the match
Welcome to AT&T Stadium, the match will start in about 5 minutes.
Welcome to AT&T Stadium where the two teams take the field for the start of this match.
Welcome to AT&T Stadium where we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the two teams
Welcome to AT&T Stadium, where we await the arrival of today's teams.
Welcome to AT&T Stadium, now all we need are the two teams.
Welcome to today's crucial game from AT&T Stadium. We are awaiting the arrival of both teams, in anticipation of a great match!
Local broadcast partners for Cyprus have not been confirmed at the time of writing. Check official Cyprus broadcast partners or your local rights holder for confirmed coverage.
Kick-off in Cyprus is Wednesday 17 June 2026 at 23:00 EEST.
Local broadcast partners for Cyprus have not been confirmed at the time of writing. Check official Cyprus broadcast partners or your local rights holder for confirmed coverage.
No injuries or suspensions are listed for England or Croatia.
Across the last 8 meetings between England and Croatia, England have 0 wins, there have been 0 draws, and Croatia have 0 wins.
This is World Cup Group L Round 1 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, USA.
Status
Finished
Attendance
70,389
Minute
90+5'
Winner
England
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