GARY LINEKER watched as Harry Kane matched his World Cup record, with Harry Maguire on the sidelines.
The ex-England striker, 65, is currently in New York for the tournament, recording episodes of his podcast, The Rest Is Football, for Netflix.
He enjoyed the Three Lions’ opening Group L match against Croatia alongside the podcast team, including co-host Micah Richards.
They were accompanied by Maguire, who had been controversially excluded from Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man squad.
Lineker and Richards sported the 2026 England jerseys while Maguire opted for casual wear during the watchalong.
Kane got the scoring underway with a penalty—after a retake—before England faced a response from Croatia.
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This marked his ninth World Cup goal, leaving him just one shy of Lineker’s total of ten for the Three Lions.
When Kane restored the lead just before halftime with a powerful header that would have impressed Maguire, Lineker was genuinely excited.
The camera panned to the trio, capturing Lineker joyfully shaking his fist while a smiling Maguire applauded beside him.
Lineker then raised both hands, repeatedly cheering “ten, ten, ten” as Kane equaled his record.
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He scored his ten goals during the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, earning the Golden Boot in Mexico ’86.
Kane netted his first World Cup goals against Tunisia in 2018 and also won the Golden Boot with six goals.
He added two more in Qatar, followed by his brace against Croatia.
Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford contributed two more goals in the second half, securing a 4-2 victory—after a heated halftime discussion led by Tuchel.
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ENGLAND, or ‘Set Piece FC’, launched their 2026 World Cup campaign in Dallas with a thrilling 3-2 win over Croatia.
Harry Kane initiated the scoring with a penalty after a Croatian infraction, but Martin Baturina equalized with a fine shot against Jordan Pickford.
England briefly regained the lead through a corner taken by Declan Rice, finding an unmarked Kane who headed it in again.
However, Croatia answered just before halftime, with FC Dallas forward Petar Musa scoring from impressive teamwork, leaving the score at 2-2 at the break.
England took longer in the locker room at halftime, which resulted in a stronger second-half performance.
Jude Bellingham burst behind the Croatian defense to net England’s third with a brilliant solo effort as Tuchel’s squad intensified their play.
Marcus Rashford capped off the victory with a beautifully curled shot into the corner.
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Nevertheless, concerns regarding injuries have arisen for both Kane and Declan Rice.
Kane was seen with bandaging on his leg post-match, while Rice exited the pitch early, limping.
Manager Tuchel’s comments exacerbated the concerns.
The German said: “Let’s see. I hope they’re alright.
“I usually wouldn’t take Declan off.
“We are fatigued, but I respect exhausted players in the locker room.
“It’s a pressure situation; it’s the first match of the tournament.”
