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World Cup contenders England beat Croatia 4-2 in the best match of the tournament so far.
The outstanding Jude Bellingham and substitute Marcus Rashford made sure of the win with impressive second-half goals.
Croatia had earlier twice pegged England back in a seesaw first half.
First, Martin Baturina cancelled out Harry Kane’s retaken penalty with a thumping finish. Then Petar Musa levelled after Kane had struck again with a header.
England will face Ghana next on Tuesday, June 23 at 4pm ET.
That one is taking place in Boston.
Next up, Croatia play Panama on Tuesday June 23 at 7pm ET.
That one will be played in Toronto.
England are top of the tree and can be very happy after that performance.
The Group L table as it stands…
The England midfielder has been speaking to ITV after that win:
💬 “The second half especially, we really showed what we were about. The team we want to be was shown in the second half. The first half, I think we was still a little bit nervy, a little bit cagey.
“I think we set up well defensively, pressed well, intensity was good without the ball. But with the ball, probably rushed a little bit. And then second half, I think, we created a nicer rhythm and that's where we saw the best of us.”
England and Croatia will watch on with interest as Panama and Ghana get underway in their Group L match now in Toronto.
You can follow live coverage of that one here.
Thomas Tuchel has spoken of his pride in England’s second-half performance and his “emotional” half-time team talk.
“The first half was nervous and we made safe decisions. We didn’t have confidence or rhythm. We only won 33% ground duels in the first half but 73% in the second. So we weren’t brave enough but I loved their reaction in the second half. We deserved to win but it was emotional.”
He’s then asked by British broadcaster ITV what he said at half time.
“I said: ‘Even if we lose it will not change my perception of the last few days’. But I said let’s do it our way. If the result doesn’t go our way we at least want to play our way. So I encouraged them to go for it.”
On Jude Bellingham he adds: “He’s a very good player and he deserved to start. He needs to fight for his place.” And when he is asked why he took off Declan Rice, he says: “I didn’t want to take any risks. The effort was enormous.”
Jude Bellingham and Luka Modrid having a good catch up at full time.
Real Madrid’s present and past midfield greats.
With his goals today, Harry Kane took Gary Lineker's record for goals scored at a World Cup.
A great match from the England talisman.
That is not an ideal start to the group stage for Croatia but they have the depth in their squad to make it out of this group.
They have plenty of World Cup pedigree in their squad.
Marc Guehi was one of England’s stand-out performers at the last European Championship finals, starting six of their seven games and missing the other through suspension. Even after Thomas Tuchel took over, central defence appeared to be a question of Guehi plus one.
But as their opening World Cup game loomed, it emerged that Tuchel was leaning towards a central defensive partnership of Ezri Konsa and John Stones.
Did it work? Well, they won the game, but the defence — not just Konsa and Stones — did not convince. The ease with which Croatia carved them open for those two first-half equaliser was a concern. As former Manchester United and Denmark goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel said on FOX at half-time, “They (England) have been weak at the back.”
Among plenty of positives for England, one negative of their performance was Anthony Gordon's forgettable performance.
The recently signed Barcelona winger had the fewest touches of anyone who started the game (17) and didn't affect the game at either end of the pitch — he missed one big chance and made zero defensive contributions.
Given Marcus Rashford came on and scored the insurance goal, it is hard to see Gordon starting England's next game against Ghana.
Did you miss that match and want to know how England won the game?
Keen to understand why Harry Kane got to re-take his penalty?
Good news — you can get the lowdown thanks to our writers via The Briefing on the link below.
GO FURTHER
England almost guaranteed World Cup knockout place after Bellingham helps beat Croatia
Scratch your eyes, that was a genuinely enjoyable England match at a World Cup.
It basically never happens — who can blame fans for daring to dream they can win the whole tournament…
The Germans are impressed.
“That was the best game of the World Cup” says Bild. “Thank you for these 90 minutes. What a spectacle! What a festival!”
Djed Spence came off the bench and made a great impact for England as they looked to lock down the win.
It was an inspired move from Tuchel that saw James move into midfield.
Plenty of fans enjoyed that one back in Manchester, England!
A very happy contingent of England fans celebrate that result.
Next they'll take over Boston!
Harry Kane has just been interviewed by the British broadcaster ITV.
“I thought it was a game of two halves. In the first half we were okay, but it was disappointing to concede in the way we did. Credit to the manager because he gave a good speech at half time. He said if we’re going to lose we lose in our way.”
He’s then asked what England did differently in the second half.
“Without the ball we went more aggressive. It’s difficult, they have great players. But in the second half we really went for it. Our intensity is our biggest strength and we need to use it more this tournament.”
Finally, on Jude Bellingham, he adds: “He scored a great goal. You can see the desire from him in training. The competition is high so whoever plays, they are ready. Jude was itching to get out there and what a fantastic goal.”
As well as ensuring Harry Kane stays in red-hot form, England also need to make sure Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson knit together well in midfield.
Today was their first test on the World Cup stage and they passed it with flying colours.
Anderson played a wonderful pass to Jude Bellingham for England's third goal and did a great job of protecting the defence, allowing Rice and Bellingham to kick on.
An all-action performance on World Cup debut for the 23-year-old who could be playing his football for Manchester City next season.
Team Stats
ENG
CRO
Game Details
England vs Croatia live updates: Bellingham goal restores lead in 2026 World Cup thriller – The New York Times
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