Group L: England roar past Croatia, Ghana claim points against Panama with last gasp strike

Kane at the double in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia Harry Kane scored a first-half brace, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford added goals after halftime and England kicked off its World Cup with a 4-2 victory over Croatia on Wednesday in an entertaining Group L clash at Arlington, Texas. The Three Lions earned their third victory in four major international tournaments against Croatia despite twice giving back their lead. Manager Thomas Tuchel’s squad also grabbed a measure of revenge for the lone defeat among those games, a 2-1 loss in extra time in the 2018 World Cup semifinals. Martin Baturina and Petar Musa scored before halftime for Croatia, which is trying to reach the semifinals or better for a third World Cup after finishing second in 2018 and third in 2022. Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic made all seven of his saves after halftime to keep his side in contention until Rashford added England’s insurance goal in the 85th minute. England will face Ghana while Croatia matches up against Panama in their respective second group-stage matches on Tuesday. Croatia had been the stronger team in the final minutes heading into halftime, but it was all England early after the break. Bellingham scored his second career World Cup goal in the 47th minute from an attack down the right flank. Elliot Anderson played the ball down the wing for Bellingham, and Noni Madueke’s run up the middle required Croatia center back Luka Vuskovic to defend the pass. The Real Madrid midfielder took advantage of the space, surging forward into the penalty area and hammering a low finish off the inside of the far post. Only some astonishing play by Livakovic kept Croatia from conceding again by the hour mark, including an exceptional triple-stop of Nico O’Reilly, Anthony Gordon and Ezri Konsa in the 56th minute. A minute later, he twice denied Kane from registering a second career World Cup hat trick. When England’s deserved fourth goal eventually came, it also stemmed from an attack down the right. Morgan Rogers was involved before Bukayo Saka switched the ball to Rashford on the left. Rashford cut the ball back to his right foot and drove a low finish beyond Livakovic’s dive. Kane took his career World Cup goal total to 10 before halftime. In the 12th minute, he converted from the spot on the second attempt after Livakovic came off his line too early while stopping the first. In the 42nd minute, he answered Baturina’s leveler with a header of Declan Rice’s corner kick. Yirenkyi’s last-gasp strike seals 1-0 victory for Ghana over Panama Caleb Yirenkyi scored a stoppage-time winner to earn Ghana a 1-0 win over Panama in a chilly and lively World Cup game on Wednesday in which the African side were forced to play the second half without starting goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi. After a lightning-quick counter-attack, Brandon Thomas-Asante charged forward before playing a precise pass into the area for Yirenkyi, who tapped home in the fifth minute of extra time for his first competitive international goal. “I got the ball in the box and I finished it there,” Yirenkyi told reporters when asked what he remembers about the moment that sent the yellow-clad Ghana supporters into party mode. Panama, bolstered by a vociferous red-clad contingent of supporters, were energetic, purposeful and threatening in the final third while Ghana were unable to find their rhythm until the second half when the tables turned. Despite dominating possession in the first half, Panama, whose only other appearance in the finals ended at the group stage in 2018, had nothing to show for their efforts and their loss left them with work to do. “The result is painful, but that is because we deserved better,” said Panama manager Thomas Christiansen. “We controlled the first half, but in the second half, we played their game a bit more. That’s not how we wanted to play, but now is not the time for regrets.” HYDRATION BREAK BOOED LOUDLY IN THE RAIN Ati Zigi was by far Ghana’s best player in the first half, commanding his area impressively while his teammates were unable to manage a single attempt on the Panama goal, but he did not come out for the second half after a collision. Shortly after a hydration break that was loudly booed by spectators as light rain fell, Panama threw everything they could at the Ghana goal but failed to find a way through. Panama demanded a penalty after Cristian Martinez went down in the box but their claims that there was contact from Jerome Opoku did not convince the referee. ATI ZIGI RECEIVES TREATMENT Ati Zigi received treatment following a collision near the end of the first half and was replaced by Benjamin Asare when the game started to open up and Ghana found their stride. Panama nearly opened the scoring in the 60th minute but Martinez lashed his attempt from close range into the side-netting from a tight angle and Jonas Adjetey almost scored for Ghana when he rose high to meet a cross with a header that forced a smart stop from Orlando Mosquera. Thomas-Asante sent a gorgeous low cross into the box for Jordan Ayew but Panama defender Jiovany managed to poke it just wide of the post before the night’s second hydration break was booed. Immediately after the final whistle, Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz went to the pitch and signalled toward a section of his team’s fans who were the loudest all evening. “I am tired. This was a really intensive game,” said Queiroz. “The wins in this World Cup are very expensive. Our players have shown they are ready to pay high prices for the win.” Ghana will look forward to having key midfielder Thomas Partey available for their June 23 match against England in Boston, and Panama meet Croatia in Toronto.