An electric second half ensured that England got off to a good start to their World Cup campaign, Thomas Tuchel’s team showed their attacking prowess and beat Croatia 4-2.
In Gareth Southgate’s version of the story at Euro 2024, where England’s defense was solid and their attack dependent on moments of inspiration, in Texas they were nervous and shaky at the back but relentless on the front foot.
The game will give England fans plenty to cheer about ahead of their next Group L game against Ghana on Tuesday night. Some defensive scraps will give Tuchel reason to worry.
Captain Harry Kane’s importance to England’s hopes was underlined by his first-half double, which resulted in a converted penalty and an expert header from Declan Rice’s fine corner.
But Croatia twice hit England back, hitting their first two shots on target with the selection of centre-backs John Stones and Ezri Konsa in the spotlight. Martin Baturina’s strike was a bolt from the blue after Stones slipped and England went deep to get Peta Musa’s second from a well-worked effort, Konsa unable to stop Ivan Perisic nodding the ball past the goalkeeper.
After a while, however, England became a different beast; which was intense when they scored Croatia’s goal. Jude Bellingham drove down the right, into the box and fired into the far corner two minutes into the second half to give England a goal back. They would finish the game with 22 shots to their name.
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England fans went through all the emotions when they beat Croatia 4-2 in their World Cup opener
The heroism of the goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic somehow saved Croatia but the players under Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford came together late and scored the fourth to show the dominance of England.
It wasn’t a great start but it looked like a crucial win, with a good second-half performance that will reinforce the belief that England – in a different way in this new era – can match or better what they have achieved under Southgate.
England’s Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring his fourth goal against Croatia
Tuchel is delighted with England’s reaction
England coach Thomas Tuchel:
“I liked the second half. Everything. I liked the reaction to a very difficult first half.
“We played against a big opponent. We showed some discomfort. Maybe we wanted to jump. But it’s clear that we overthought our decisions. It took us a long time to make decisions. We couldn’t find a rhythm in our game.
“We spent a lot of time in the ground which was not ours. Both tracks didn’t make us more comfortable. There was a feeling that we had to defend something and we were punished for it.
“But I like the way they reacted. We inspired them to do it, play with more courage, be brave and be us. We created a lot of chances. We had a lot of winning balls. We scored goals.
“Overall, I think we deserved to win. There are still things we need to fix, this is normal after the first game. You need to grow into a competition. We got a tough game to start against Croatia.”
Neville: Bellingham and Kane are the key for England
Gary Neville for Sky Sports on ITV:
“The controversy of Jude Bellingham is over. We cannot disrespect Morgan Rogers because he is a brilliant player. But Jude Bellingham is a great player. He and Kane are different in attack.
“The most important thing is can we hold the ball? We took the misery out of the game from the ball. We haven’t shown that yet, but it may come in the next games.
“We didn’t allow Modric to decide the game for us. In the past, England players would have stood up to such players. These guys don’t do that today. Anderson is targeting him especially in the press.”
Important moments
12: GOAL! Harry Kane opened the scoring from the spot after Luka Modric kicked Noni Madueke. Kane’s first penalty was saved but Dominik Livakovic was off his line and Josko Gvardiol forced his way in to take it again.
36: GOAL! Martin Baturina blasts over from the edge of the box to start the game.
42: GOAL! An unmarked Kane heads in Declan Rice’s corner to restore England’s lead.
45+5: GOAL! Petar Musa converts from close range after Ivan Perisic’s header.
47: GOAL! England got off to a flying start in the second half, with Jude Bellingham scoring the third from the far corner.
56: FINAL! Livakovic’s heroes denied Nico O’Reilly, Anthony Gordon and Ezri Konsa in the corner as England piled on the pressure in search of a fourth.
58: SUB! Modric was sent off during Croatia’s 199th appearance after struggling in midfield and giving away a penalty.
85: GOAL! Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford combined well for Rashford to make it 4-2.
90+5: BLOCK IT! Kane puts his body on the line to prevent Josko Gvardiol from scoring.
What does the result mean…
Analysis: Chaos and great fun
Rob Dorsett for Sky Sports News:
Chaotic, fascinating, painful – sometimes. Those who open the World Cup should be cautious, calm and not enthusiastic. This was the exact opposite.
Tuchel’s anger at England’s defensive style and gung-ho approach was clear, but as his words rang in their ears at the start of the second half, England’s attacking players showed that they have the power to hurt anyone in the tournament.
It used to be like a basketball game, and Tuchel will hate that England were open. But he can only applaud their attacking ability, with Madueke and Bellingham leading the way.
Of course, it was captain Kane who gave the order to go on with two goals to take him level with Gary Lineker on 10 World Cup goals.
It was a lot of fun – but Tuchel has a lot to work for for sure.
