It may well have been the country\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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Miguel Delaney in Dallas17 June 2026 23:36<\/p>\n
<\/a>England assistant Anthony Barry critical of first-half display against Croatia in punchy ITV interview<\/p>\n England<\/a> assistant coach Anthony Barry was critical of his side\u2019s first-half display against Croatia<\/a>, saying it was a \u201ccomplicated and confusing\u201d opening 45 minutes.<\/p>\n Harry Kane<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Barry, who is Thomas Tuchel<\/a>\u2019s trusted assistant and was with him at Bayern Munich, then gave a punchy interview to ITV<\/a> before heading into the dressing room to speak to the players.<\/p>\n Chris Wilson18 June 2026 02:00<\/p>\n <\/a>The real reason why England must top their World Cup group<\/p>\n 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\u2019s new 48-team format<\/a>: 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.<\/p>\n For England \u2013 on paper, at least \u2013 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.<\/p>\n Chris Wilson18 June 2026 01:00<\/p>\n <\/a>England 4-2 Croatia<\/p>\n Maybe something here for anyone superstitious…<\/p>\n Chris Wilson18 June 2026 00:53<\/p>\n <\/a>World Cup fixtures<\/p>\n England\u2019s 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:<\/p>\n 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 <\/p>\n Chris Wilson18 June 2026 00:48<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n And with the second-half highlights, we start with a great solo goal from Bellingham to put England back in control…<\/p>\n …and here\u2019s the final goal as Marcus Rashford wrapped it up for England late on…<\/p>\n Chris Wilson18 June 2026 00:41<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a highlight of Kane\u2019s opener from the penalty spot…<\/p>\n And here\u2019s the second, which put the captain level with Gary Lineker for the most goals scored for England at a World Cup!<\/p>\n Chris Wilson18 June 2026 00:35<\/p>\n <\/a>England’s Group L fixtures<\/p>\n 23 June, 9pm: England v Ghana \u2013 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough<\/p>\n 27 June, 10pm: Panama v England \u2013 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford<\/p>\n Chris Wilson18 June 2026 00:28<\/p>\n <\/a>Why Harry Kane\u2019s missed penalty was overturned by VAR in England v Croatia<\/p>\n Harry Kane<\/a> received a major reprieve in England<\/a>\u2019s opening game of the World Cup as VAR<\/a> intervened to order a retake.<\/p>\n
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(PA)<\/p>\n