Live updates: England vs Croatia

Live updates: England vs Croatia

H

By Henry Hanson

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Key Events

15

England vs Croatia

28

Goals

5

Match reports

1

Portugal vs Congo DR

34

Second half underway

H

By Henry Hanson

Alright, we're back.

And it's Croatia kicking us off.

Luka Vuskovic finds touch with a wallop from the back and England have the ball for the first spell of possession of the half.

Counter punch

A

By Amanda Shalala

How's that for an end to an engrossing first half??

Both of Croatia's goals were very well executed, and you can see the lift in their body language after equalising right on half-time.

I'm sure Thomas Tuchel will have some stern words for his side on some of that defending, but from a fan's perspective, it's been a belter.

HT: England 2 - 2 Croatia

H

By Henry Hanson

That's the end of a really, really enjoyable half of football.

England probably the most dynamic of the teams in forward areas, but Croatia a constant threat from wide in particular.

England's midfield three have been a little weak, and the team has an undeniably lopsided look with Harry Kane dropping so deep to link up play.

I mean, he's an exceptional, multi-faceted footballer, but surely he shouldn't be popping up between the centre halves with England in possession.

It's a really good first half of football from Croatia, who have managed to control most of the play in Dallas thus far.

We have an intriguing second half ahead of us.

CROATIA EQUALISE ON THE STROKE OF HALF-TIME!

H

By Henry Hanson

Oh my goodness!

With what is surely the last kick of the first half, Croatia is level!

It's a lovely, patient move from the Croatians, which culminates in a clipped ball into the penalty area.

Ivan Perisic had ghosted into the penalty area, and the wingback is brilliant in laying off the ball with his head.

Petar Musa is on hand to side-foot his volley into the back of the net.

It's 2-2!

KANE MAYHEM

A

By Amanda Shalala

Just as Croatia was getting back into it, Harry goes and does THAT.

This has been such an entertaining match, and with so much hype and expectation around Kane in particular in the lead-up, he has stepped up in this first half.

He also made sure to acknowledge Rice for the superb delivery.

A rollicking roar rumbled through the stadium, and there's no sign of either group of fans keeping quiet.

45' We're into five minutes of stoppage time

H

By Henry Hanson

Jude Bellingham is brought down on the edge of the penalty area and Reece James has a chance from the dead ball.

It's a good distance for the fullback - but, unfortunately for England, not a good hit from the fullback.

His effort is low and into the wall and Croatia can rebuild as shadows well and truly lengthen on the first half in Dallas.

KANE DOUBLES UP!

H

By Henry Hanson

That is very, very poor from Croatia.

With half time fast approaching, England has a corner from the right.

It's set-piece extraordinaire Declan Rice standing over the ball, and the Arsenal man delivers a wonderful outswinger towards the top of the box.

Harry Kane begins his run from outside the penalty area, and makes his way into it without a Croatia player anywhere near him.

The ball lands perfectly on his forehead, and it's a very assured, professional finish from the England captain.

But really, that is desperately poor from Croatia, who have left the world's best striker unattended in the penalty area.

It doesn't even look like there was an orchestrated block by the England players.

WHAT A GOAL! CROATIA!

H

By Henry Hanson

Oh wow, that is some goal from Martin Baturina.

Croatia is attacking down the right-hand side, and it's Josip Stanisic who pulls the ball back to the edge of the penalty area.

Baturina is perfectly placed to absolutely lash one past Jordan Pickford and into the back of the net.

It's a vicious, vicious strike and a wonderful goal for Croatia.

34' England lightning quick on the counter

H

By Henry Hanson

Ivan Perisic loses the ball on the edge of the penalty area and England pounce.

In the acres of space left by Perisic, Noni Madueke is once again played in on the right and he's arrowing towards the penalty area.

He can't get anything too meaningful into the box.

33' Quarterback Kane with another lovely pass

H

By Henry Hanson

Great move from England.

Harry Kane is once again dropping deep, but this time to very good effect.

The Bayern Munich man has the ball in transition and whips out a pass to Noni Madueke on the left.

Madueke does well to push in an early, low cross.

Jude Bellingham is lurking and then lurching in the middle - however, his outstretched right foot can't quite get to the path of the ball and it's out for a goal kick.

28' Kane has his pocket picked

H

By Henry Hanson

We're back from the hydration break.

Boy, those players are looking hydrated out there!!

Croatia is on the front foot to begin the second quarter, and is gifted an opportunity after Harry Kane drops very, very deep to receive a pass.

He tries to turn but has his pocket picked.

Croatia can't get a shot away and England survive.

The verdict on the hydration break

A

By Amanda Shalala

A very strong chorus of boos rings out around the stadium with this very much unnecessary hydration break.

It might be scorching hot in Dallas, but we are in an air-conditioned stadium at a very comfortable, pleasant temperature inside.

Just worth making clear for anyone who has a cursory look at the weather forecast here.

We've reached the first ad break

H

By Henry Hanson

Do you think he stepped of his line? The view on TV looked pretty close and hard to tell for sure.

- Marlon

Go have yourself a drink, fellas.

What a breathless start to this one.

England the more dangerous of the two sides, but obviously very fortunate to be 1-0 up.

And yep, that was the right decision, Marlon.

It was very, very close, but the TV replays have shown Dominik Livakovic taking his back foot off the line too early.

THE DRAMA!

A

By Amanda Shalala

Unbelievable! What a rollercoaster of emotions in here, first the Croatian fans behind their own goal were celebrating ecstatically, but that was short-lived and now the very healthy English contingent here is in full voice.

This stadium is perfect for big-time sporting events, just the way the stands are so steep and having the roof, it magnifies the noise and makes you feel everything.

17' Kane with a lovely pass

H

By Henry Hanson

Harry Kane is dropping exceptionally deep right now.

He's just popped up between centre backs Ezri Konsa and John Stones as England build out from the back.

Remarkable.

Not a minute earlier, Kane produced a memorable pass to release Noni Madueke on the left.

The Bayern Munich striker received the ball on halfway, swivelled and unlocked the Arsenal speedster with an inch-perfect through ball.

Madueke couldn't make the most of the opportunity and the attack fizzled out.

15' Croatia pushes forward after goal

H

By Henry Hanson

Wow, what a start to this game.

Croatia pushes forward straight from kick-off, and it's Petar Musa who finds himself in the box and with a presentable opportunity.

Jude Bellingham is back and defending and winning a goal kick on VAR review.

KANE SCORES THIS TIME!

H

By Henry Hanson

And with the second bite of the cherry, Harry Kane opens the scoring.

This one is a much more assured penalty, walloped into the top right-hand corner of the goal.

Dominik Livakovic is nowhere near it this time.

Bitterly disappointing for Croatia — a real stroke of luck for England.

10' KANE HAS HIS PENALTY SAVED!

H

By Henry Hanson

It's a poor penalty from Harry Kane.

Hit at a very saveable height and slightly to the left.

Dominik Livakovic is down to his left and is saving smartly!

BUT!

There's a VAR check.

England think Livakovic left his line prematurely...

And the referees agree!

Kane will retake his penalty...