Jude Bellingham’s solo run and finish soon after half-time set up a 4-2 victory for England in a dramatic World Cup Group L opener against Croatia in Dallas.

Harry Kane had twice put Thomas Tuchel’s side ahead in the first half, only for Croatia to draw level each time, through Martin Baturina and Petar Musa. Bellingham restored England’s lead in the 47th minute, with Marcus Rashford adding a fourth late on to settle an absorbing contest.

England were handed a golden chance to take the lead in the ninth minute, when Luka Modric caught Noni Madueke with a high boot inside the penalty area. Kane saw his spot-kick saved by Dominik Livakovic, but he and Josko Gvardiol were both penalised for encroaching, and the England captain buried his second attempt.

Baturina levelled for Croatia in the 36th minute, his terrific strike from distance beating Jordan Pickford, who could only get his fingertips to the ball. England regained the lead six minutes later as Kane headed home Declan Rice’s corner at the far post, but Zlatko Dalic’s side got back on terms before the break.

Musa strode on to Ivan Perisic’s clever header, Croatia springing the England offside trap, to level at 2-2 with the last kick of the first half.

It left the game finely poised, but Thomas Tuchel’s side regained the edge early in the second half, Bellingham latching on to Elliot Anderson’s long ball, veering in from the right and drilling the ball past Livakovic.

England peppered the Croatia goal in search of a fourth goal but had to wait until the 85th minute as the substitute Rashford neatly slotted home from Bukayo Saka’s pass.