Christiano Ronaldo struggled as Henry Kane shined as two of the prolific stars of the FIFA World Cup began their campaign for Portugal and England respectively.
Ronaldo’s record-equalling sixth FIFA World Cup got off to a disappointing start as Congo DR secured their first ever point at the Finals, drawing 1-1 with Portugal in their Group K match.
Kane on the other hand was in the thick of action as England defeated Croatia 4-2.
In the match between Portugal and Congo, Yoane Wissa’s header cancelled out Joao Neves’s early goal and the African side – appearing in their first FIFA World Cup since 1974 when it was known as Zaire – more than held their own.
Portugal got off to the perfect start, with Neves powering home a header from Pedro Neto’s cross in the sixth minute.
However, despite dominating possession they lacked a cutting edge and well into time added on in the first half their opponents made them pay.
Wissa rose unmarked to head past Diogo Costa in the Portuguese goal sparking wild celebrations on the pitch, the bench and among the Congolese fans in the stadium as the Newcastle forward registered his country’s first ever goal at a FIFA World Cup.
Bernardo Silva had started the day by joining Real Madrid on a free transfer but he ended it by watching from the bench after Martinez took him off at half-time.
He was briefly off his feet celebrating when Joao Cancelo’s overhead kick hit the back of the net – only for it to be ruled out for offside.
The Congolese were matching the Portuguese, though, and 35-year-old veteran striker Cedric Bakambu shrugged aside Bruno Fernandes, but his shot came back off the near post.
Ronaldo finally had a chance to shine when presented with an opportunity by Francisco Conceicao’s pass but he fluffed his lines sending it wide of the post.
The same combination linked up again minutes later, Conceicao – a far livelier presence than Silva had been – teeing up Ronaldo but once again the result was the same, the ball went wide.
Portugal thought they had at least got a corner but when it was not given Conceicao slammed the ball into the ground in frustration as his side failed to pick up three points in their opener.
Kane scores twice
Harry Kane scored twice in the first half as England eventually saw off Croatia 4-2 to launch their FIFA World Cup 2026 title assault in Texas.
Jude Bellingham, immediately after half-time, and substitute Marcus Rashford with five minutes to go ensured a winning start for Thomas Tuchel’s side after Croatia had fought back to level at 2-2.
The prolific Kane twice put England ahead in the first half – one a retaken penalty – only for Martin Baturina and Petar Musa to hit back for 2018 runners-up Croatia.
The meeting was a repeat of the 2018 semi-final, which Croatia won 2-1 after extra-time, although England have since had the edge against one of the older squads at the tournament in North America.
Thomas Tuchel’s side, bidding to deliver England a first major trophy since 1966, made a nervy start in front of a packed house at the impressive air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Then the drama came. Croatia’s talismanic captain Luka Modric dangled out a leg and caught Noni Madueke in the box.
Kane saw his unconvincing penalty saved by Dominik Livakovic, only for French referee Clement Turpin to order a retake after video replays deemed the stopper had come off his line.
Bayern Munich predator Kane held his nerve second time around, again going to Livakovic’s left but this time in more ruthless fashion to give England the lead after 12 minutes.
Now it was all England, and Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham – preferred to Morgan Rogers in the number 10 role – surged upfield, forcing Livakovic to smother.
On the half-hour England should have gone 2-0 up, Bellingham narrowly failing to make contact with Madueke’s delicious low cross.
On 36 minutes Croatia drew level.
England squandered the ball in midfield, then Petar Sucic left John Stones on the floor with some neat footwork to set up Baturina.
The 23-year-old met the ball first time and whipped it past Jordan Pickford, who got a hand to the ball.
Zlatko Dalic’s side were level for just six minutes as a Declan Rice corner found Kane unmarked and the captain nodded home.
It took skipper Kane to 10 FIFA World Cup goals, the most of any England player along with Gary Lineker.
Putting the seal on a frenetic first half, Musa took advantage of more poor England defending in the fifth minute of injury time to stroke the ball in from close range for 2-2.
The second half started just as the first ended – with a goal – as Bellingham galloped down the right unchallenged and rolled the ball into the corner.
Kane and Nico O’Reilly twice each, and Bellingham, had good chances for a 4-2 lead as England pummelled the Croatia goal.
With 15 minutes left and England retreating, Croatia had several opportunities, before Rashford made the three points safe.
