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FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
Sport
James Andrew

World Cup day seven highlights: Harry Kane helps England to a winning start, Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are held by DR Congo and Ghana leave it late to beat Panama

Harry Kane.

Harry Kane scored twice as England made a winning start to their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia in a thriller in Dallas.

Thomas Tuchel's side showed strength in attack but frailty in defence, but possessed the firepower to finally overcome Croatia.

Kane put England ahead on 12 minutes with a twice taken spot-kick after Luka Modric fouled Noni Madueke, Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic saving his first attempt but penalised for encroaching off his goalline.

Croatia, always dangerous opponents, were level after 36 minutes when Martin Baturina sent a powerful drive high past Jordan Pickford, who got a touch but could not keep the ball out.

Kane restored England's lead three minutes before the break with a powerful header from Declan Rice's corner, bringing him level with Gary Lineker on 10 World Cup goals, his 81st in 115 England appearances.

Croatia equalised again with a well-worked goal seconds before half-time, Petar Musa steering Ivan Perisic's header beyond Pickford.

But the Three Lions retook the lead through Jude Bellingham, who showed exactly why Tuchel selected him ahead of Morgan Rogers with a powerful run and finish moments after the break as England established control once more.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were held to a draw by DR Congo (Image credit: Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by an impressive DR Congo side in their opening game.

Midfielder Joao Neves headed them into a sixth-minute lead, but Roberto Martinez's side failed to convert their dominance of possession into attempts on goal.

And they were punished in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time when Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa was left unmarked to meet Arthur Masuaku's cross from six yards to head home DR Congo's first World Cup goal.

In their only previous appearance in 1974, the nation - then known as Zaire - lost all three matches by an aggregate score of 14-0.

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Caleb Yirenkyi scored a stoppage time winner for Ghana and denied Panama a point (Image credit: Getty Images)

Ghana's Caleb Yirenkyi scored a 95th-minute winner to deny Panama their first-ever World Cup point in Toronto.

With six minutes added on at the end of match of few chances, Brandon Thomas-Asante raced down the left, beat his marker, and squared the ball for Yirenkyi, who tapped in.

The result was harsh on Panama, who had matched the four-time African champions in only their fourth World Cup appearance since their debut in 2018.

Luis Diaz was on the scoresheet for Colombia in their World Cup opener with Uzbekistan (Image credit: Getty Images)

Colombia made a winning return to the World Cup by defeating debutants Uzbekistan, with former Liverpool forward Luis Diaz and Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz among the goals.

Munoz scored the first goal with a superb volley at full stretch when he connected with a fine pass forwards from Diaz, who had earlier hit the post.

Uzbekistan, coached by Italian World Cup-winning defender Fabio Cannavaro, equalised in the 60th minute through Abbosbek Fayzullaev's close-range header.

But the South Americans quickly regained their lead with Diaz's strike going in despite Utkir Yusupov in the Uzbekistan goal getting two hands to the ball.

And then Colombia substitute Jaminton Campaz headed in a third goal deep into stoppage time.

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