Harry Kane put England ahead early against Croatia in their Group L opener after josip šutalo had already flashed Croatia’s first notable chance at the far post. The goal came after a VAR intervention and a retake, giving England the first clean break in a match between two teams framed as contenders for the group win.
VAR swings the penalty
Luka Modric’s attempted clearance in the area sent the move toward England’s penalty chance after he kicked into Noni Madueke. Kane then converted, but the spot kick did not stand as first taken. Dominik Livakovic had come off his line too early, so VAR intervened and England were handed a retake.
Kane finished that second attempt and England moved in front. It was the sort of opening that puts pressure on the side chasing the game, especially in a Group L match where every early edge can shape the rest of the contest.
Kane and Modric in focus
The England striker arrived with weight on his shoulders after scoring 61 goals for Bayern Munich in the season before the World Cup. England also came in with a spotless qualifying record, winning all 24 of their matches and not conceding a goal, so the penalty fit a side that had already built its tournament case on control and efficiency.
Modric’s role carried its own edge. The Croatia captain was starting his fifth and final World Cup, with 196 appearances for his country and a chance to reach 200 caps at the tournament. Croatia leaned on that experience from the first matchday, while England leaned on Kane’s finish when the opening chance arrived.
Dalic’s Croatia under pressure
Zlatko Dalic has been in charge for more than nine years, long enough to take Croatia to five major tournaments in a row and two podium places. That history sits behind every big match now, but England’s early lead forced Croatia to chase from the first phase of the game instead of settling into the rhythm Dalic’s teams usually want.
Josip Sutalo’s early shot was the warning sign before the penalty changed the scoreboard. Croatia were looking for a fast start of their own, but Kane’s retaken spot kick turned the opener on the first matchday of Group L and gave England the advantage they wanted before the match had settled.
