DALLAS: Thomas Tuchel’s England kicked off their World Cup campaign with an entertaining victory over Croatia in an attacking thriller in Dallas to set the platform for Group L progress.

Harry Kane opened the scoring on 12 minutes with a twice-taken penalty after Noni Madueke was fouled, eventually converting after Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic was penalized for encroaching on the first attempt.

A resilient Croatia equalized in the 36th minute through Martin Baturina’s powerful strike, but Kane restored the lead shortly before the break with a powerful header from Declan Rice’s corner, matching Gary Lineker’s record of 10 World Cup goals.

Defensive frailties cost England again just seconds before half-time when Petar Musa steered home Ivan Perisic’s header to level the score once more.

However, England established control immediately after the interval via a powerful run and finish from Jude Bellingham, before substitute Marcus Rashford sealed the win with a composed finish five minutes from time ahead of their next clash against Ghana in Boston.