England Final Score
England beat Croatia 4-2 in Arlington and start the group with the hard points.
England beat Croatia 4-2 on June 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, turning the opener into the kind of result that changes the whole week. The score matters first because Croatia were the early benchmark in Group L; now England can look toward Ghana with three points already banked.
England got the opener out of the danger column.
England 4-2 Croatia is the result that supporters wanted before the fixture list started feeling complicated. A two-goal win over the strongest opening opponent does not finish the group, but it takes away the first-week anxiety and makes the Ghana match feel like a chance to build rather than repair.
The biggest change is the shape of Group L. Before kickoff, Croatia looked like the test that could make England's warm-up rhythm feel a little soft. After full time, England have the points and the goal cushion, while Croatia are the side that have to spend the next few days working back toward balance.
What changed for England
The margin gives England something practical. Ghana still bring pace and transition danger on June 23 in Foxborough, but England no longer walk into that match carrying the weight of an opening slip. The group can be played from the front, and that matters with Panama still waiting at MetLife Stadium on June 27.
There is still room for a clear-eyed read. Conceding twice means this was not a quiet shutout night. The useful part is that England still had enough scoring weight to finish the job, and against Croatia that is not a small thing.
England 4-2 Croatia, final at AT&T Stadium. England next face Ghana on June 23 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
England 4-2 Croatia is final in Arlington.
The opener is won; Ghana is next on June 23.
What matters next
The England schedule page now carries the confirmed score and keeps the pre-match preview in the same timeline. The wider route still runs through the England team hub and England squad page.
Matchday Timeline