Harry Kane continues to add his name to England’s football history.

The England captain scored twice to draw level with Gary Lineker’s World Cup scoring record as the Three Lions defeated Croatia 4-2 in Arlington, Texas, delivering a powerful opening statement in their tournament campaign.

The victory carried extra significance.

Croatia was the team that ended England’s 2018 World Cup run in the semi-final, but this time England turned the tables with a confident attacking display.

Kane’s milestone moment opens the contest

The match began with intensity as both teams looked to establish control.

England earned an early breakthrough after Luka Modric, appearing in his fifth World Cup tournament at age 40, brought down Noni Madueke inside the penalty area.

Kane stepped up to take the penalty, but goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic initially denied him.

However, VAR intervention determined that Livakovic had moved off his goal line before the kick was taken, giving Kane another opportunity.

The striker made no mistake the second time.

Kane sent the ball toward the right post while Livakovic moved the opposite way, giving England the lead.

The goal began a historic night for the Bayern Munich forward.

Croatia responds, but England regains control

Croatia refused to fade away.

The response came through Martin Baturina, who leveled the match in the 36th minute after his shot found the corner, with the ball brushing goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s hand on its way in.

The momentum shifted again before halftime when Croatia pushed forward.

Petar Musa, playing for Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas and familiar with the surroundings, reacted quickly to a header from Ivan Perisic and fired past Pickford.

Croatia entered halftime believing it had recovered from England’s early pressure.

Bellingham changes the direction of the match

England wasted little time restoring control after the break.

Just two minutes into the second half, Jude Bellingham delivered the turning point.

Receiving a long pass, the midfielder broke away from the defense and calmly finished past Livakovic, with his shot going in off the far post.

The goal gave England a 3-2 advantage and sparked a relentless attacking spell.

Bellingham nearly added another immediately afterward, but Livakovic produced a superb save.

The Croatian goalkeeper then made several more stops during a frantic period as England searched for further insurance.

Kane joins an exclusive England club

The night became even more memorable for Kane when he reached 10 World Cup goals.

From a Declan Rice corner kick, Kane rose above the defense and powered a header into the net, matching Lineker’s record from the 1986 and 1990 tournaments.

The achievement placed Kane alongside one of England’s greatest World Cup scorers.

It also continued an extraordinary international career in which he has now scored 81 goals for his country.

Rashford seals the victory

Croatia continued fighting, but England’s quality eventually proved decisive.

Marcus Rashford completed the scoring in the 85th minute, adding the final touch to a performance that showed England’s attacking depth and resilience.

The final scoreline read 4-2, but the match reflected a much closer battle than the margin suggested.

A historic venue for a historic performance

The match was played at the retractable-roof stadium home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, offering fans relief from the intense Texas heat.

England supporters arrived dressed largely in white, while Croatian fans filled the stands with their famous red-and-white checkered colors.

The atmosphere reflected the importance of a rematch between two nations with World Cup history.

England looks ahead with confidence

The victory puts England in a strong position as they continue Group L play.

The Three Lions will next face Ghana in Foxborough, Massachusetts, while Croatia will meet Panama in Toronto.

But after a night of records, redemption, and attacking football, the biggest story remains Kane.

At the center of England’s latest World Cup journey, the captain has once again shown that he belongs among the country’s greatest tournament figures.