Kane double fires England WC bid; Portugal stumbles to a draw

LOS ANGELES, June 19 ------ England launched their World Cup bid with a rollercoaster 4-2 win against Croatia as Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal stumbled to a draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In an enthralling Group L game at the Texas home of the Dallas Cowboys NFL team, Harry Kane scored twice before goals from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford made the game safe as England began their bid to end a 60-year wait for a major trophy. Kane got the ball rolling by slotting home a penalty at the second attempt after the referee ordered him to re-take it when Croatian ‘keeper Dominik Livakovic was adjudged to have been off his line.

Croatia fought back and Martin Baturina brought them level after 36 minutes before unmarked Kane equalled Gary Lineker’s England record of 10 World Cup goals with a thumping header. But the English defensive frailties were on show when Petar Musa equalized for Croatia in first-half stoppage time.

Only in the second half did England impose their will. Bellingham scored a classy goal after outrunning his defender before substitute Rashford took his time before slotting the ball into the net on 85 minutes. Earlier, Portuguese great Ronaldo, 41, equalled the record of appearing in six World Cups set on Tuesday by his old nemesis Lionel Messi but his side were held to an upset 1-1 draw by DR Congo. Joao Neves opened the scoring for the Portuguese in the first half but Yoane Wissa equalized with a headed goal in first-half injury time to give his nation their first ever World Cup point.

Source: philstar.com