Harry Kane and Co. begin 2026 World Cup with thrilling win. Ghana's Yirenkyi nets late winner to break Panama hearts
England won their opening FIFA World Cup™ fixture for the third tournament running thanks to a brilliant brace from Harry Kane and second-half goals by Jude Bellingham and substitute Marcus Rashford.
Croatia twice pegged England back in the first 45, but England emerged for the second half reborn and would have won by more were it not for an inspired performance from Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
A chaotic first half brought four goals, with England twice leading through two Kane strikes and Croatia responding through Martin Baturina and Petar Musa.
The Three Lions had scored an early set-piece in the teams’ 2018 World Cup semi-final encounter but lost; this time they prevailed thanks to a strong second-half display rewarded by goals at either end of it by Bellingham and Rashford.
The match began with a twice-taken penalty after winger Noni Madueke, one of England’s World Cup newcomers, had drawn a foul from Luka Modric. Kane had missed a spot-kick on his previous World Cup appearance, the 2022 quarter-final against France, and Dominik Livakovic saved his initial kick to his left.
However, referee Clement Turpin called for a retake with replays showing Croatia’s goalkeeper had stepped off his line and defender Josko Gvardiol’s encroachment. Kane shot into the same corner and this time found the net. With his second goal, a header from Declan Rice’s corner, Kane equalled Gary Lineker’s England record of 10 World Cup goals.
Each Kane goal was followed by a terrific Croatia equaliser. For 1-1, Petar Sucic laid the ball back to Baturina who curled it into the right-hand corner via the palm of Jordan Pickford. The second equaliser, on the stroke of half-time, came when Croatia’s Dallas-based striker Musa volleyed in a well-worked goal after Ivan Perisic had cleverly nodded on Mario Pasalic’s ball over the back line.
Bellingham, given the No10 role ahead of Morgan Rogers, restored the advantage by driving in from the right wing and finishing low across Livakovic. It was the cue for a dominant spell by England who summoned the intensity coach Thomas Tuchel had asked for, forcing a string of saves by Livakovic. He was eventually beaten again, though, with Rashford's composed finish after excellent work by fellow substitute Bukayo Saka.
Yirenkyi nets late winner to break Panama hearts
A buzzer-beater goal by Caleb Yirenkyi ensured Carlos Queiroz's Ghana secured a hard-fought win over Panama at Toronto Stadium.
Los Canaleros enjoyed the first chance of note, as Amir Murillo's low cross found Cecilio Waterman in the area, but Lawrence Ati Zigi repelled his first-time effort with a fine diving save. Panama created the next opening when a poor Ati Zigi punch fell to the feet of Jiovany Ramos, and while the defender had time, he blazed his effort over.
The Ghana goal continued to live a charmed life in the second half, with Cristian Martinez next to come close. The No6 collected a loose ball in the area and deployed a clever shimmy to buy a yard, only to flash his shot into the side netting.
Queiroz, who has now coached at a joint-record five successive World Cups, made a double change just before the hour which very nearly paid instant dividends. Substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante darted down the right and slid the ball across goal for Jordan Ayew, but Ramos got back to produce a goal-saving challenge.
Both sides looked happy to settle for a draw until Thomas-Asante was set free down the left and drove into the area, before squaring for Yirenkyi to tap home his first international goal, winning the game for the Black Stars and denying Panama a first World Cup point in the process.