The England change that dispatched Croatia to fulfil Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup promise
Jude Bellingham looked like he can fulfil all that talent, but Thomas Tuchel has already fulfilled one promise. The England manager had promised that an occasion like this World Cup 2026 match would “bring out the best in us”, but it may have done even more than that.
It may well have been the country’s best spell of tournament football in decades, and perhaps the most convincing victory in some time. This ended up 4-2 but it could genuinely have been 7-2 from the 10 minutes after half-time alone. Croatia barely knew where to turn, let alone where to look.
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Miguel Delaney in Dallas17 June 2026 23:36
England assistant Anthony Barry critical of first-half display against Croatia in punchy ITV interview
England assistant coach Anthony Barry was critical of his side’s first-half display against Croatia, saying it was a “complicated and confusing” opening 45 minutes.
Harry Kane gave England the lead twice in Dallas, first through a re-taken penalty and second through a well-placed header, but Croatia pegged the Three Lions back on both occasions as their defending was found wanting.
Barry, who is Thomas Tuchel’s trusted assistant and was with him at Bayern Munich, then gave a punchy interview to ITV before heading into the dressing room to speak to the players.
Chris Wilson18 June 2026 02:00
The real reason why England must top their World Cup group
We can try, of course. Theoretically, there should be a material benefit in topping each group. Group winners will be rewarded in one of two ways by Fifa’s new 48-team format: either they will get to play one of the eight third-placed finishers in the round of the 32; or they will meet a second-placed finisher but then avoid facing any other group winners until the quarter-finals at the earliest.
For England – on paper, at least – winning Group L would seem advantageous in progressing deep into the tournament. They would be paired with one of the third-placed finishers in the round of 32, teams who are likely to have picked up only three or four points during the group stage.
Chris Wilson18 June 2026 01:00
Maybe something here for anyone superstitious…
Chris Wilson18 June 2026 00:53
England’s opener was the last game of the day for those in the UK, though fans can look forward to the following action to come on Thursday, 18 June:
Group L: Ghana vs Panama, kick-off 12am – Toronto, Canada Group K: Uzbekistan vs Colombia, kick-off 3am – Mexico City, Mexico Group A: Czech Republic vs South Africa, kick-off 5pm – Atlanta, USA Group B: Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, kick-off 8pm – Los Angeles, USA Group B: Canada vs Qatar, kick-off 11pm – Vancouver, Canada
Chris Wilson18 June 2026 00:48
And with the second-half highlights, we start with a great solo goal from Bellingham to put England back in control…
…and here’s the final goal as Marcus Rashford wrapped it up for England late on…
Chris Wilson18 June 2026 00:41
Here’s a highlight of Kane’s opener from the penalty spot…
And here’s the second, which put the captain level with Gary Lineker for the most goals scored for England at a World Cup!
Chris Wilson18 June 2026 00:35
23 June, 9pm: England v Ghana – Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
27 June, 10pm: Panama v England – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Chris Wilson18 June 2026 00:28
Why Harry Kane’s missed penalty was overturned by VAR in England v Croatia
Harry Kane received a major reprieve in England’s opening game of the World Cup as VAR intervened to order a retake.
Kane saw his penalty saved by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, but referee Clement Turpin paused the game to announce that the kick would be taken again.
Replays showed Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol encroach inside the area before Kane had struck the penalty, and it was Gvardiol who made first contact with the ball after Livakovic’s save.
Lawrence Ostlere at Dallas Stadium18 June 2026 00:21
England’s second group game sees them face Ghana in Boston on 23 June, with that match kicking off at 9pm BST.
If the Three Lions win that, they’ll likely finish at the top of Group L.
(PA)
Chris Wilson18 June 2026 00:15