Role for Perišić in entertaining World Cup duel

Ivan Perisic and Croatia also got their start at the 2026 World Cup. In Houston, in Group K, in an entertaining match they ultimately lost 4-2 to England, where former PSV player Noni Madueke was in the starting lineup.

As early as in the match, England was awarded a penalty by the French referee Clement Turpin because Luka Modric committed a foul in the sixteen-yard box. The super striker and captain Harry Kane initially missed from eleven meters, but had luck on his side when it turned out that goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic stepped off his line too early when the keeper saved the penalty.

Because of this, Kane was able to take the shot again and this time the striker did not fail. In the 36th minute, Croatia equalized through Martin Baturina, but the Croatians could not enjoy the equalizer for long as Harry Kane was able to simply head the ball in in the 42nd minute after a corner by Declan Rice, and thus set The Three Lions to 2-1.

In the last seconds of stoppage time of the first half, Perisic was just in time being played through and the PSV player decided to head the ball back to Petar Musa. Musa did not fail and thus provided a 2-2 draw at halftime in a very entertaining match.

Straight after the break, England was the one that, via Jude Bellingham, went ahead to make it 3-2. After that, the English pressed hard and Croatia had goalkeeper Livakovic to thank that Perisic & co. were not put into a large deficit.

However, after the 3-2 and the number of saves by Livakovic, the Croats could no longer really create great chances. It wasn’t until deep into the second half that goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had to intervene with an effort by substitute Marco Pasalic.

Ultimately it took until the 85th minute for the decision to be made. Substitute Marcus Rashford remained calm face-to-face with Livakovic and thus ensured the 4-2 final score in England's favor.