England, Croatia Trade Blows in Wild 4-2 World Cup Debut

Thomas Tuchel's boys, in front of 70,389 Texans, flaunted their attacking muscle. They also aired their defensive laundry for everyone to see. Sky Sports confirmed it.

Harry Kane slotted England's opener from the spot in the 12th minute — the initial save didn't count, Dominik Livakovic wandered off his line. Then he headed in a second, off a Declan Rice corner. Kane now shares Gary Lineker's World Cup record: ten goals for England. Two goals. Easy.

Croatia wasn't just rolling over. Martin Baturina levelled after a John Stones gaffe. Peta Musa then dragged them back even again. Ezri Konsa couldn't keep Ivan Perisic from nodding a chipped pass into Musa's path. England's backline? A mess. Too deep. Too passive. Both Croatian shots on target, both goals. Unacceptable.

Second half? Different team. Jude Bellingham tore into the box barely two minutes after the whistle, smashing one into the far corner. Lead restored. England piled up 22 shots. Livakovic tried his best to keep Croatia in it, but Bukayo Saka, off the bench, linked with Marcus Rashford late on. Goal four. Game over.

Tuchel summed it up: "I loved the reaction to a very complicated first half. We spent way too much time in a low block which is not our identity. But we encouraged them to go for it, to be brave and be themselves — and we deserved to win."

England now sits atop Group L. Next up: Ghana, Tuesday night.