Are you not entertained! Incredible Kane and Jude top resilient Croatia

A rampant skirmish of two excellent sides this World Cup really needed! England defeated Croatia 4-2 in a six-goal thriller in Boston, successfully kickstarting their 2026 FIFA WC campaign on the wings of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.

Kane's first-half brace, along with his lovely deep-lying playmaking skills, proved crucial in the rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final, which ended in Croatia's extra-time triumph. Eight years later, with 40-year-old Luka Modric unable to recreate his old magic, the best that Croats could do was a fair, tactical fight, embellished with their remarkable resilience.

The fact that they were able to quickly annul both of Kane's goals tells you all you need to know about their fighting spirit.

And when it comes to Thomas Tuchel's side, after the opening 90 minutes of football, some things are more than clear.

The Three Lions' attacking line is brutal, creative, flawless and, maybe most importantly, packed with half a dozen outstanding players.

There's no need to elaborate much about Harry Kane's qualities, but it needs to be said that we're privileged to enjoy the performances of one of the best forwards this game has ever seen. Although Croatia's keeper Dominik Livakovic denied his early penalty, Kane got a chance to redeem himself since the keeper made an illegal move, which he converted to open the scoring.

Croats responded with Baturina's powerful effort from the edge of the area, with Jordan Pickford being unable to save it, 1-1.

England's second, which followed, was a true set-piece beauty - Declan Rice's corner from the right was met by unmarked Kane for a marvellous header, 2-1.

Alas, that advantage didn't last too long either, as Petar Musa restored the stalemate in the dying seconds of the first half, following a nice three-piece action.

At that point, it seemed like we were heading into a potential World Cup classic, but the tables turned significantly after the break.

Tuchel's boys shifted the gear.

Until then, shy Jude Bellingham finally made his presence visible with a spectacular run down the right-hand side two minutes into the second half. Elliot Anderson's jaw-dropping pass dismantled Croatia's backline and the Real Madrid star finished it smoothly into the far bottom corner, 3-2.

This time, there was no way back for Croatia.

Livakovic saved them from a potential tragedy with a handful of wonderful saves, denying Rice, Ezri Konsa and, of course, who else but Kane, again.

Not even Livakovic, however, could prevent England's fourth goal of the night, as Marcus Rashford put the cherry on top of this WC derby with a routine finish.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE

Monday, 15.06.

Ivory Coast - Ecuador 1-0 (0-0)

/Diallo 90/

Sweden - Tunisia 5-1 (2-1)

/Ayari 7, 90+6, Isak 30, Gyokeres , Svanberg 84 - Rekik 43/

Spain - Cabo Verde 0-0

Belgium - Egypt 1-1 (0-1)

/Hany 66 og - Ashour 20/

Tuesday 16.06.

Saudi Arabia- Uruguay 1-1 (1-0)

/Amri 41 - Araujo 80/

Iran - New Zealand 2-2 (1-1)

/Ramin 33,Mohebi, 64- Just, 7,54/

France - Senegal 3-1 (0-0)

/Mbappe 66, 90+6 Barcola 82 - Mbaye 90+5/

Wednesday

Iraq - Norway 1-3 (1-2)

/Hussein 39 - Haaland 29, 43 Ostigard 76/

Argentina - Algeria 3-0 (1-0)

/Messi 17, 60, 76/

Austria - Jordan 3-1 (1-0)

/Schmid 21, Al-Arab 76 og, Arnautovic 90+12 pen - Olwan 50/

Portugal - DR Congo 1-1 (1-1)

/Neves 6 - Wissa 45+5/

England - Croatia 4-2 (2-2)

/Kane 12 pen,42, Bellingham 47, Rashford 85 - Baturina 36, Musa 45+5/

Thursday

02.00: (2.25) Ghana (3.20) Panama (3.40)

05.00: (8.50) Uzbekistan (4.50) Colombia (1.42)

19.00: (1.80) Czech R. (3.50) S.Africa (4.70)

22.00: (1.65) Switzerland (3.60) B&H (5.80)

***odds are subject to change***