Football

FIFA World Cup 2026 Day 7 Recap: England Crush Croatia 4-2, Kane Scores Brace; Day 8 Preview

The 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered another day of thrilling football on Day 7, headlined by England’s emphatic 4-2 victory over Croatia in

Ankit Thakur 2 weeks ago · 4 min read

The 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered another day of thrilling football on Day 7, headlined by England’s emphatic 4-2 victory over Croatia in which Harry Kane scored a brilliant brace. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo was left frustrated as Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by Congo DR, Colombia topped Group K with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, and Ghana snatched a dramatic last-gasp winner against Panama. Day 8 brings four more group matches, with Mexico vs South Korea the headline fixture.

England 4-2 Croatia: Kane’s Masterclass

England made a stunning start to their World Cup campaign with a performance that combined clinical finishing with attacking flair. Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 12th minute before adding his second just before half-time, a composed finish that demonstrated why he remains one of the world’s most lethal strikers at 32.

Jude Bellingham added a third just two minutes into the second half, driving into the box and finishing with the confidence of a player at the peak of his powers. Marcus Rashford completed the scoring in the 85th minute with a curling effort that sealed a dominant English performance.

Croatia, appearing in their fourth consecutive World Cup, were not without their moments. Martin Baturina pulled one back in the 36th minute with a well-struck effort, and Musa added a second in first-half stoppage time to make it 2-2 at the break. But England’s second-half surge — three unanswered goals in 40 minutes — demonstrated the depth of quality in Gareth Southgate’s squad.

For England, the result sets up a commanding position in Group A, with maximum points and a goal difference that could prove decisive. For Croatia, the challenge is now to recover from a heavy defeat and secure results in their remaining group matches to stay in contention for the knockout rounds.

Portugal 1-1 Congo DR: Ronaldo Frustrated

In one of the day’s most surprising results, Congo DR held Portugal to a 1-1 draw, with Cristiano Ronaldo unable to find the net in what may be his final World Cup. João Neves gave Portugal an early lead in the 6th minute, but Yoane Wissa equalised in first-half stoppage time with a goal that sent the Congolese contingent into raptures.

The result highlighted the growing competitive depth of the World Cup’s expanded 48-team format. Congo DR, competing in only their second World Cup, demonstrated the defensive organisation and counter-attacking quality that have characterised African teams at recent tournaments. For Portugal, the draw is a wake-up call: the days when established powers could coast through group stages are over.

Colombia 3-1 Uzbekistan; Ghana 1-0 Panama

Colombia took control of Group K with a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan. Goals from Muñoz (40′), Díaz (65′), and Campaz (90’+9′) secured the three points, though Fayzullayev’s equaliser in the 60th minute briefly made things uncomfortable for the South Americans.

Ghana left it late — very late — to beat Panama 1-0, with Caleb Yirenkyi scoring in the 95th minute to snatch a dramatic victory. The goal transformed a frustrating afternoon into three invaluable points for the West African side.

Day 8 Preview: June 18

Day 8 features four matches across Groups A and B:

Czechia vs South Africa (Atlanta, noon ET): Both teams will be looking for a positive start to their campaigns in a Group A match that could have significant implications for qualification.

Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (Inglewood, noon PT / 3 PM ET): Switzerland, perennial knockout-round qualifiers, face a dangerous Bosnian side in Group B.

Canada vs Qatar (Vancouver, 3 PM PT / 6 PM ET): Co-hosts Canada play their first match at home, with an expectant crowd at BC Place backing the Maple Leafs against Qatar.

Mexico vs South Korea (Zapopan, 9 PM local / 11 PM ET): The day’s headline match, pitting two passionate football nations in a Group A encounter at Estadio Akron. Mexico, co-hosting the tournament, will be desperate for a strong start in front of their home fans, while South Korea, with their tradition of World Cup heroics, will pose a formidable challenge.

Ankit Thakur

Ankit Thakur is an Editor at Daily Tips overseeing sports and entertainment coverage. A lifelong sports enthusiast with years of journalism experience, he covers cricket, kabaddi, football, esports, and gaming. He also manages the publication's entertainment vertical, bringing insider knowledge and passionate storytelling to every piece.

Ankit Thakur

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