World Cup 2026: England dreams of the day 'football comes home'

At the AT&T Stadium in Dallas (USA), Kane became the focal point from the opening minutes. The England skipper opened the scoring from the penalty spot after being allowed to retake a saved spot-kick. What stood out was not just the goal, but the composure of the Bayern Munich striker. Showing no signs of nerves after his initial miss, Kane calmly beat the Croatian goalkeeper on the second attempt to put England ahead.

If the opening goal demonstrated his nerve, the first-half header showcased Kane's class as a finisher. His brace against Croatia brought his total for England to 80 goals in 115 appearances, while also marking his third consecutive World Cup with a goal.

As the race for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot heats up early with stellar performances from stars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland, Kane has quickly asserted his presence. Beyond scoring, the 33-year-old plays a pivotal role in the fast-paced attacking style coach Thomas Tuchel is building. He frequently drops deep to link up with the midfield, creating space for teammates to surge forward. This mobility contributed to England's dominant display in the second half.

Following Kane's goals, England continued to explode with strikes from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford. Tuchel's side unleashed 18 shots, eight of which were on target, completely overwhelming Croatia.

This victory was especially meaningful as Thomas Tuchel's squad entered the World Cup amid considerable doubt. Before the match, the team faced a series of off-field issues, from security concerns near their base, equipment thefts, to harsh weather conditions in the US. However, rather than being affected, the "Three Lions" showed a determined face.

For Kane, the 2026 World Cup may be the last major opportunity in his career to win a trophy with the national team. After two consecutive near-misses at the European Championship, the 1993-born striker understands the value of every match on American soil. It is no coincidence that British media have begun discussing the 2026 Ballon d'Or race. If he maintains his current scoring form and leads England deep into the World Cup, Kane could become a top contender for the sport's most prestigious individual honor.

In the stands in Dallas, thousands of English fans sang the familiar chant: "It’s coming home." After a convincing opening performance and Harry Kane's brilliance, that belief seems stronger than ever.