Day seven of the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered drama across three continents, with Harry Kane stealing the headlines for England, DR Congo earning a famous result against Portugal, and Ghana digging deep to deny Panama a historic point.

England edge past Croatia in Dallas thriller

England launched their World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas, a match that exposed both the firepower and the defensive fragility of Thomas Tuchel's side.

Kane opened the scoring in the 12th minute from the penalty spot after Luka Modric fouled Noni Madueke. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved the initial attempt but was penalised for stepping off his line, and Kane converted the retake.

Croatia drew level in the 36th minute when Martin Baturina lashed a fierce drive beyond Jordan Pickford. Kane restored England's advantage three minutes before the break — heading home from Declan Rice's corner to bring his World Cup tally to 10 goals, matching Gary Lineker. It was his 81st goal in 115 England appearances.

Croatia levelled again in the final seconds of the first half, Petar Musa guiding Ivan Perisic's header past Pickford. But Jude Bellingham settled matters moments after the restart, driving forward and finishing with authority to hand England control they would not relinquish. The result vindicated Tuchel's decision to select Bellingham ahead of Morgan Rogers.

DR Congo hold Portugal in stunning opener

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in a result that will send shockwaves through Group. Joao Neves headed Roberto Martinez's side in front in the sixth minute, but Portugal's dominance of possession yielded few genuine chances.

DR Congo punished that wastefulness in first-half stoppage time, when Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa was left completely unmarked to meet Arthur Masuaku's cross and head home from six yards — the country's first-ever World Cup goal.

The achievement carries extraordinary historic weight: in their only previous World Cup appearance in 1974, the nation — then known as Zaire — lost all three group-stage matches, conceding 14 goals without reply.

Ghana's late winner denies Panama history

In Toronto, Ghana's Caleb Yirenkyi scored in the 95th minute to deny Panama a maiden World Cup point. With six additional minutes on the clock, Brandon Thomas-Asante surged down the left, beat his man, and pulled the ball back for Yirenkyi to tap home.

The result was a cruel blow for Panama, who had matched the four-time African champions throughout only their fourth World Cup appearance since their debut in 2018.

Colombia beat Uzbekistan on return to World Cup

Colombia marked their World Cup return with a 3-1 win over debutants Uzbekistan. Daniel Munoz opened the scoring with a full-stretch volley after a forward pass from Luis Diaz, who had earlier struck the post. Abbosbek Fayzullaev levelled for Uzbekistan — coached by Italian World Cup-winner Fabio Cannavaro — in the 60th minute, but Diaz's strike restored Colombia's lead despite goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov getting two hands to the ball. Substitute Jaminton Campaz headed a third deep into stoppage time to seal the victory.