Harry Kane's penalty retaken against Croatia in 2026 World Cup opener

England's Harry Kane scored from the penalty spot against Croatia in the 2026 World Cup opener after a retake due to goalkeeper infringement.

England's early penalty awarded England earned a penalty in the opening minute of their 2026 World Cup match against Croatia after Luka Modric fouled Noni Madueke. The spot-kick was the first major moment of the game, setting the tone for England's attack. The foul occurred in the midfield area, giving referee's a clear reason to award the penalty. This early opportunity would prove crucial for England's attacking hopes. ## Harry Kane's first attempt saved England captain Harry Kane stepped up to take the penalty but saw his initial effort brilliantly saved by Croatia's goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. The save denied England the lead and shifted momentum briefly toward Croatia. Kane's attempt was powerful but Livakovic reacted quickly to palm the ball away. The rebound created a quick follow-up chance for England. ## VAR intervenes with retake The video assistant referee (VAR) intervened to order a retake of the penalty after noticing Livakovic had moved off his line too early. According to the laws, the goalkeeper must keep at least one foot on or above the goal line when a penalty is taken. Replays clearly showed Livakovic had stepped forward fractionally before the ball was struck. This technical breach meant the penalty had to be taken again regardless of whether the save stood. ## Defensive infringement also spotted Even if Livakovic had remained on his line, the penalty would still have been retaken due to another infringement by Croatia's Josko Gvardiol. The Manchester City defender entered the penalty area before Kane's initial kick was taken, moving inside the box early. Gvardiol's position prevented Noni Madueke from following up on the rebound after Livakovic's save. The rules state that a defender must not encroach into the area before a penalty is taken. ## Gvardiol clears rebound quickly With the loose ball falling to Josko Gvardiol after his save, Livakovic quickly reacted to clear the danger away from England's danger zone. The Croatian defender managed to hook the ball clear before any England players could react. However, Gvardiol's position at the moment of the first kick meant the penalty had to be retaken anyway. The clearance highlighted Croatia's defensive organization despite the setback. ## England lead restored after second chance On the retake, Harry Kane converted the penalty successfully, giving England the lead against Croatia in their 2026 World Cup opener. The second attempt was taken under revised conditions after the VAR's intervention. Kane's composure under pressure ensured England started the tournament with a positive result. The goal set the tone for England's attacking display in the match. ## Croatia equalize late in thrilling opener Croatia fought back to level the match at 2-2 in a thrilling World Cup opener against England. The equalizer came after a period of sustained pressure from the Croatians, testing England's defense repeatedly. The game remained open until the final minutes, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. The draw marked a competitive start to the tournament for both teams.