L’England sent a first message to its competitors in the 2026 World Cup. The Three Lions won against the Croatia (4-2), Wednesday at the Dallas stadium, at the end of a meeting full of twists and turns counting for the first day of Group L.
The English quickly took control thanks to their captain Harry Kane, who opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 12th minute. The striker then scored twice in the 42nd minute, but in the meantime the Croatians had already shown their ability to react. Martin Baturina reduced the gap in the 36th minute before Petar Musa equalized in added time of the first period (45th+5).
Returning from the locker room, England regained the advantage thanks to Jude Bellingham in the 47th minute. Marcus Rashford then definitively sealed England’s success by scoring the fourth goal in the 85th minute. With this victory, Gareth Southgate’s men take an interesting option in Group L, which will also see Ghana face Panama in the other match of this first day.
In group K, on the other hand, the Portugal let slip two precious points against an attractive selection of the Democratic Republic of Congo (1-1).
The Portuguese had, however, started their meeting ideally. João Neves opened the scoring in the 6th minute, allowing the Seleção to quickly take the lead. But the Leopards showed character and were rewarded just before the break thanks to Yoane Wissa, scorer of the equalizing goal in added time of the first period (45th + 5).
Despite several chances on both sides in the second half, neither team managed to make the difference. Portugal and DR Congo thus part with a parity score and each pocket a point in a group K also made up of Colombia and Uzbekistan.
This first evening therefore offered two opposing scenarios: an ambitious and offensive England which is launching its world campaign perfectly, and a Portugal hooked from the start by a combative DR Congo, which is already entering the fight for qualification.
