Harry Kane has wasted no time making his mark at the 2026 World Cup, scoring twice in England's 4-2 victory over Croatia — and the contrast with his tournament debut four years ago could hardly be sharper.

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Kane spent 269 minutes across four matches before registering so much as a single shot on target. He looked fatigued from the earliest stages, and many felt he needed a rest after England's opening two games. This time, he opened his account after just 12 minutes and added a second before the final whistle.

A different player under Tuchel

Much of Kane's improvement stems from how Thomas Tuchel has set England up around their captain — mirroring the system used at Bayern Munich, where Tuchel previously managed Kane. When Kane drops deep to link play, the likes of Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham, and Anthony Gordon burst into the space behind, giving defenders no time to settle.

Under previous setups, Kane's movement out of the box created problems for his own team — dragging a centre-back with him and leaving England with no forward target. That issue has been resolved, and the results are immediate.

Kane also arrives in far better physical condition than at either the 2022 tournament or Euro 2024. He has come into this competition on the back of a staggering 61-goal season for Bayern Munich — a figure that surpassed his own previous best by more than 20 goals. The sharpness and confidence that comes with that kind of form is visible in every touch.

Mental strength under the spotlight

His two goals against Croatia were not without drama. The first came from a retaken penalty — a test of nerve that few players handle well. To step up a second time, after the original kick was saved, and place the ball in the same corner once more is a mark of exceptional mental fortitude.

The second goal was a superb header, set up by a precise delivery from Declan Rice. Croatia's defending left much to be desired, but Kane read the flight of the ball instantly and finished with clinical precision.

The last time Kane had to wait before making an impact at a World Cup, the breakthrough arrived emphatically: when he finally registered his first shot on target against Senegal in the last 16 in Qatar, he scored. That trademark ruthlessness has now arrived from the very first game.

Eyes on the Golden Boot

In 2018 in Russia, Kane struck five times in England's opening two matches on his way to winning the Golden Boot and helping England reach the semi-finals. With Group L fixtures against Ghana and Panama still to come — after facing arguably their toughest group opponent in Croatia — his eyes will be bright with possibility.

Kane is one of only three players at this tournament to wear the special Golden Boot patch on his sleeve, alongside France's Kylian Mbappe and Colombia's James Rodriguez. Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Erling Haaland will all push hard in the race for top scorer, and each of their teams is equally built around getting the best from them.

England will need Kane at his relentless best if they are to go deep into this tournament — and right now, all the signs suggest he is ready to deliver.

Based on analysis by Alan Shearer, speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.