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All of England's player ratings versus Croatia in the World Cup as Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions beat their Group L rivals 4-2 at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas
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Thomas Tuchel's half-time team-talk fuelled the Three Lions to opening game glory in Arlington, Texas as England and Croatia played out an instant classic
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The England manager was unsatisfied with his team’s performance in the first-half against Croatia
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England 4-2 Croatia: Harry Kane’s double and goals from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford proved enough to secure a winning start in Dallas
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England 4-2 Croatia: Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka came off the bench and combined to seal an impressive victory, after a shaky start
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Thomas Tuchel made it plain that when the stress came with the serious business of World Cup matches, he believed his England team would thrive. What had gone before, especially in the friendlies, was little more than a distraction. Here in the Lone Star state, which tallies with what England have on their shirts, it was time to make a statement about that second star.
There was a fair helping of stress against Croatia, the 11th best team in the world and the highest ranked pot two nation in the tournament – particularly in the first half. It was down to defending that was simply too open and generous. A seesaw opening 45 minutes ended 2-2, Harry Kane scoring England’s goals, the first from a retaken penalty. Martin Baturina and Petar Musa replied for Croatia. England were powerful on corners. The overall sense in open play was one of confusion.
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Declan Rice was seen limping off the pitch as England defeated Croatia in their 2026 World Cup opener.
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Goal against Croatia in his side’s World Cup opener was an angry one with a rising sense of inevitability
And breathe again. For the opening 45 minutes under the giant Victorian train station roof at the Dallas Stadium, England produced a performance that was a bit like watching one of those YouTube videos where an awkward and frightening Chinese robot has learned how to dance like Michael Jackson.
Dogged and occasionally convincing, but the kind of spectacle that does generally end with the robot falling off the stage. England didn’t just play like machines in that first half. They played like faulty machines, scared machines, contributing almost zero free-form football to a 2-2 half-time score that included two Harry Kane set-piece goals; the first a set piece from a set piece, a penalty after a corner, set piece squared.
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The US star was on a ‘modified’ training schedule for the third day in a row after coming out at half-time in the opener. Other options must be considered
Mauricio Pochettino now has the privilege of giving the new World Cup format a practical test.
The Argentinian wisely played it safe at half-time of the United States’ 4-1 thrashing of Paraguay, pulling Christian Pulisic before his calf could be kicked any more. The attacking midfielder said after the match that he had taken similar punishment before, and he was optimistic he would be fit for the next match. As of Wednesday, he was still training away from his teammates and wearing a sleeve on his left calf.
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Even as forwards shine, Dallas performance exposes shaky defence that may cost Thomas Tuchel and England dear come the tournament’s sharp end
When Thomas Tuchel won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 the success was built on unflinching defensive rigour and midfield discipline. Five years on, though, Tuchel’s England displayed neither of those qualities during a dreadful first half in Dallas. They kept losing the ball in dangerous areas, struggled to maintain their shape without the ball and were rocking when Croatia stung them with a second equaliser just before half-time.
The vibe could hardly have been less convincing. Anthony Barry, Tuchel’s No 2, let rip in an interview with ITV, accusing England of doing all the wrong things, of playing with “a nervous energy”, of making everything “confused and complicated” against opponents well versed in making their craft and experience in midfield count.
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Harry Kane was in fine form while Dominik Livakovic stopped the scoreline running away from Croatia
Jordan Pickford Could have done better with Baturina’s goal. Made crucial late save to keep England ahead but looked shaky. 6
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Barcola shone for France at the World Cup against Senegal and is a European champion with PSG, while Liverpool are also thought to be interested
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The Arsenal midfielder left the field after feeling ‘discomfort’ during the second half of England’s opening World Cup win
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