Harry Kane scored two first-half goals, including a retaken penalty, but England were twice pegged back by Croatia in the first half of their World Cup opener.
The Three Lions’ latest effort to win their first trophy since their 1966 World Cup triumph was provided with an early boost by veteran Luka Modric, playing for Croatia for the 199th time at the age of 40.
Modric fouled Noni Madueke after Croatia failed to fully clear from a corner, with referee Clement Turpin showing no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Yet it looked as if Modric’s blushes would be spared when Dominik Livakovic got down left to his left to keep out a poor penalty from Kane.
However, England’s captain was provided with a second chance as encroachment by Josko Gvardiol saw Turpin order a retake, with replays also indicating Livakovic had strayed from his line.
This time Kane made no mistake, emphatically finding the bottom-right corner to become the second England player to score at three different World Cups, having also found the net in the 2018 and 2022 finals. He follows in the footsteps of David Beckham, who scored in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups.
But England were initially unable to build on his opener and they were punished for not doing so, as Martin Baturina equalised in style.
The Como forward was teed up by Petar Sucic and met his lay-off with a rasping strike that flew into the net despite England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford getting a hand to it.
Kane restored England’s lead three minutes before half-time, with Croatia paying the price for poor defending.
The Bayern Munich star was left with a free header as he met Declan Rice’s corner with a header to which Livakovic had no answer.
But another defensive lapse from England ensured the two sides went into the interval level.
Ivan Perisic was afforded too much space to nod Mario Pasalic’s long ball forward back towards Petar Musa, whose first-time finish left Pickford with no chance.
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