He's made the most of his talent in ways that defy expectation.
On the seventh day of the 2026 World Cup, football reminded us that history is not merely recorded but actively pursued — by nations carrying decades of longing, and by individuals measuring themselves against the giants who came before them. Harry Kane, in Dallas, drew level with Gary Lineker and led England to a decisive reckoning with a Croatian side that once broke their hearts. Elsewhere, DR Congo scored their first World Cup goal in half a century, and Ghana found joy in the final seconds — small nations writing themselves back into the story of the world's game.
- England arrived in Dallas carrying 60 years of World Cup hurt, and Kane's brace against Croatia — the very team that ended their 2018 campaign — felt less like a result and more like an exorcism.
- Portugal's draw with DR Congo unsettled expectations, as a historic equalizer from Wissa silenced a squad wearing wristbands in memory of the late Diogo Jota, turning a football match into something heavier.
- Ronaldo, 39 and in his final World Cup, cut a frustrated figure — missing chances and raising urgent questions about whether Martinez's loyalty to his captain will cost Portugal in the group stage.
- DR Congo's Joris Kayembe spoke of a nation celebrating not just a point, but a return — their first World Cup goal in 52 years arriving in a country that has known profound suffering.
- Ghana's Caleb Yirenkyi buried a 95th-minute winner against Panama, igniting watch parties from Accra to Sydney and giving the Black Stars the perfect platform to build on.
- Kane now stands level with Lineker and in the sights of Haaland and Mbappé in the Golden Boot race — his European Golden Boot form carrying into North America with unmistakable intent.
Harry Kane arrived at his third World Cup in the form of his life, having outscored both Haaland and Mbappé to claim the European Golden Boot for 2025-26. In Dallas, he made his intentions clear. Two goals against Croatia — the nation that eliminated England in 2018 — helped Thomas Tuchel's side to a commanding 4-2 victory, with Bellingham and Rashford also on the scoresheet. Kane has now matched Gary Lineker's ten World Cup goals, a milestone that places him among England's tournament greats. Tuchel's controversial squad selections, which had drawn criticism before a ball was kicked, looked suddenly inspired.
Portugal's opener was a more complicated affair. João Neves gave them the lead with a header in a match played under an emotional shadow — the squad wore wristbands honoring Diogo Jota, the Liverpool forward and national team member who died in a car crash the previous year. But DR Congo equalized through Yoane Wissa before half-time, and the match ended 1-1. For DR Congo, the moment was historic: their first World Cup goal in 52 years, and a return to the tournament after five decades away. Joris Kayembe spoke afterward of what the result meant to supporters back home in a country that has endured immense hardship. Ronaldo, 39 and in his sixth and final World Cup, was ineffective and failed to score. Coach Martinez defended his captain, but questions linger ahead of Portugal's next match against Uzbekistan.
Ghana provided the day's most electric finish. Caleb Yirenkyi scored in the 95th minute to beat Panama 1-0, a goal that sent watch parties across the world into celebration. Antoine Semenyo earned man-of-the-match honors. For the Black Stars, it was the perfect beginning — and for the tournament itself, a reminder that in football, the story is never over until it is.
England's opening match against Croatia turned into a statement of intent. Harry Kane, the 32-year-old Bayern Munich captain playing in his third World Cup, scored twice in a 4-2 victory in Dallas, with Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford adding the other goals. The performance mattered beyond the scoreline. Kane has now matched Gary Lineker's tally of ten World Cup goals—a milestone that places him among England's all-time greats at the tournament. More than that, he arrived at this World Cup in the form of his career. Playing in the Bundesliga, he won the European Golden Boot for 2025-26, outscoring both Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé. He came to North America hungry, and the first match showed it.
For England, the win carried particular weight. The country has not won a World Cup since 1966, and the narrative around the team—talented, expectant, often disappointed—hangs heavy. Coach Thomas Tuchel made controversial squad selections, leaving out players like Harry Maguire and Trent Alexander-Arnold, decisions that drew scrutiny before a ball was kicked. Had England stumbled in the opener, the pressure would have been immense. Instead, Tuchel's choices appeared vindicated. Kane himself spoke of feeling at his physical and mental peak, of enjoying the moment on the pitch. The redemption was also personal: England lost to Croatia in the 2018 semi-final. This time, they won decisively.
Portugal's opening did not go to plan. The team drew 1-1 with DR Congo, a result that stunned many observers. João Neves gave Portugal the lead with a header, a moment that carried emotional weight—players wore wristbands gifted by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro in honor of Diogo Jota, the Liverpool player and national team member who died in a car crash the previous year. But DR Congo equalized through Yoane Wissa in the first-half injury time, and the match ended level. For DR Congo, the moment was historic. They scored their first World Cup goal in 52 years, returning to the tournament after five decades away. Joris Kayembe, reflecting afterward, spoke of what the draw meant to supporters both in the stadium and back home in a country that has endured hardship, including the Ebola outbreak. The result was a good start, he said, and the country would celebrate tonight.
Cristiano Ronaldo, playing in his sixth and final World Cup at age 39, had an ineffective performance. He missed chances late in the match and did not find the back of the net. Coach Roberto Martinez defended him, arguing that removing Ronaldo made no sense when Portugal needed goals, and that DR Congo's defensive setup—a back five or even six—made it difficult to break through. The question now is whether Ronaldo can rise again in Portugal's next match against Uzbekistan.
Ghana delivered one of the day's most dramatic moments. Caleb Yirenkyi scored a stunning stoppage-time winner to beat Panama 1-0, a goal that sent watch parties in cities like Sydney into celebration. Antoine Semenyo earned man-of-the-match honors in the victory. The result gave Ghana a perfect start and a story to carry forward into the tournament.
Harry Kane's performance and his pursuit of the Golden Boot will be a thread running through the World Cup. He is now level with Lineker, a player he grew up admiring. Haaland and Mbappé remain in contention for the award, but Kane's form and England's early dominance suggest he will be a central figure in the tournament's narrative. For England, a team that has waited 60 years for another World Cup title, the opening victory was not just three points—it was a signal that this might finally be their moment.
Notable Quotes
To be on that number now is obviously really pleasing, to reach double figures in this amazing tournament is very special.— Harry Kane, after matching Lineker's World Cup goal tally
After 52 years to be here at the World Cup and to draw against Portugal is a good start, and now we are thinking of our country in the Congo—it will be a good night today.— Joris Kayembe, DR Congo midfielder, reflecting on the historic draw
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does Kane's performance in this first match matter so much beyond the goals themselves?
Because Kane arrived at this World Cup at the absolute peak of his powers. He won the European Golden Boot, beat Haaland and Mbappé in the Bundesliga. He's 32, playing in his third World Cup, and he's saying he's never felt better. That's not just confidence—that's a player who has learned how to peak at the right time.
England has this reputation for struggling under expectation. How much does this win change that narrative?
It doesn't erase 60 years of disappointment, but it matters. Tuchel made unpopular squad choices, left out established players. If England had lost today, those decisions would have haunted him. Instead, they won 4-2 and looked dominant. That gives the team permission to believe.
What struck you about the DR Congo result?
That it was a shock, but also that it meant something real to people. They hadn't scored at a World Cup in 52 years. When Wissa equalized, Kayembe talked about what it meant for fans back home, for a country dealing with so much hardship. A 1-1 draw isn't usually a story, but this one is.
Ronaldo didn't score. Is that a problem?
It's a question mark. He's 39, playing his last World Cup. He had chances and missed them. His coach defended him, said the team needed him on the pitch. But Portugal will need him to score if they want to go far. One match doesn't define a tournament, but it does set a tone.
Ghana's late goal—was that just luck?
Yirenkyi's finish was described as stunning. It came in stoppage time, which means Ghana had to stay composed, had to believe. That's not luck. That's character. And it gives them momentum going forward.