When Petar Musa left Europe in 2024 to join FC Dallas, he wasn’t sure it wouldn’t cost him his spot in Croatia’s national team plans. That fear looks pretty silly now.
Musa has scored 48 goals and added 13 assists in 80 games across all competitions since arriving in Dallas. Thanks to 12 goals in the 2026 season, that production kept Musa on Zlatko Dalic’s radar and hasn’t let up since.
On Wednesday afternoon at Dallas Stadium, all of it paid off. Musa made his first World Cup start, in Croatia’s Group L opener against England, and before halftime he had his first World Cup goal to go with it.
PETAR MUSA IN THE WORLD CUP!!! pic.twitter.com/Ke1s3AV7RB
— FC Dallasić (@FCDallas) June 17, 2026
Deep in first-half stoppage time, Ivan Perišić cushioned a header into his path, and Musa one-timed a volley past Jordan Pickford to make it 2-2, Croatia’s answer to a Harry Kane brace that had England up twice.
The half ended level.
The moment certainly was felt in the stands as the Croatian supporters at Dallas Stadium erupted. Musa was emotional after the goal.
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