Thomas Tuchel's England have launched their 2026 FIFA World Cup journey with a frenetic and chaotic 4-2 triumph over Croatia in a thrilling Group L encounter at a packed Dallas Stadium. Three Lions narrowly survived a substantial first-half shock as they unveiled the ruthless attacking weapons that position them among heavy tournament favourites.
Chaotic first half
The game had already burst into life prior to 12 minutes played when Harry Kane converted a penalty. England seemed comfortably in command at that stage, but Croatia soon responded and made it 1-1 in the 36th minute through a sensational right-footed strike by Martin Baturina into Jordan Pickford's top left corner.
Almost immediately after, England restored their advantage as Kane powered a header home, in another catastrophic defensive lapse. In deep stoppage time, Ivan Perisic found Petar Musa who slotted past Pickford to leave the teams locked at 2-2 at the break. Tuchel's rigid defense was suddenly all over the shop.
Bellingham sets England ablaze
Whatever Tuchel imparted to his players at half-time, it worked like a charm. England emerged transformed, their belief fuelled by the magnificent midfielder, Jude Bellingham. No more than 90 seconds into the second half, Bellingham found himself some space out right and cut into the box, drilling home an unstoppable effort past Dominik Livakovic from a tight angle.
Bellingham's goal shattered Croatia's rhythm. Thereafter, England had complete control of the game's tempo, with Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson dictating play in the centre, while Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon stretched the Croatian flanks to deny counter attacks.
Rashford puts the seal on three points
Even with heroic saves from Livakovic keeping Croatia in touch for periods of the second half, England's sheer depth was eventually too much. With just five minutes to go, substitute Marcus Rashford picked up a loose pass on the edge of the box, turned inside and curled an absolutely stunning shot into the bottom left corner from just inside the area.
What's next
The Croatian backline needs urgent work to shore things up for the next matches and while the defensive lapses of the first-half will give Tuchel some sleepless nights, his side served up a real statement of intent with this four-goal thriller, led by the deadly Kane and an inspired Rashford.
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