England opened their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas, a result that gives Thomas Tuchel’s side the start they needed in Group L.
For an opening game, there was plenty to like. England scored four, their biggest players delivered, and they showed enough attacking quality to pull away from a Croatia side that still carries real tournament experience. Harry Kane scored twice, Jude Bellingham struck just after half-time, and Marcus Rashford came off the bench to seal the result late on.
But this was not the kind of performance that lets everyone relax.
Croatia scored twice in the first half through Martin Baturina and Petar Musa, and both goals came after England had already put themselves in front. That is the part Tuchel will care about when the noise around the result settles. England were good enough to win, but they were not controlled enough to make the game comfortable.
The match started well for England. Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 12 minutes, giving England the early platform they wanted. Against a side like Croatia, that matters. They are comfortable slowing games down, waiting for mistakes and using their experience to drag opponents into difficult spells.
England did not let the early goal become the only story, but they also did not fully build on it. Croatia’s equaliser through Baturina exposed the spaces England left when the game became stretched. Kane restored the lead before half-time, only for Musa to bring Croatia level again before the break.
At 2-2, England had scored twice and still walked in with work to do.
That first half probably summed up the whole performance. England looked sharp going forward, especially when they moved the ball quickly and attacked before Croatia could settle into shape. Kane gave them a reliable focal point, Bellingham carried threat between the lines, and there was enough pace around the attack to keep Croatia uncomfortable.
The issue was the other side of the game. England did not always manage the moments after losing the ball, and Croatia had too many chances to turn promising spells into real damage. For a team with ambitions of going deep into the tournament, that will need tightening.
The response after half-time was the most encouraging part of the night.
Bellingham’s goal in the 47th minute changed the direction of the game. England needed to come out with authority, and he provided it almost immediately. It was the kind of moment that explains why he has become so central to this team. Even when the game is tense, he has the presence to make something happen.
From there, England looked more settled. The fourth goal from Rashford in the 85th minute added the finish the performance needed and gave the scoreline a more convincing feel. It also gave Tuchel another positive: impact from the bench. In tournament football, that matters. The starting XI rarely carries a side all the way through a competition on its own.
Kane was still the main figure. His two goals were the obvious headline, but his importance went beyond finishing. England could play into him, use him to connect attacks, and trust him to make the right decision in key areas. There will always be debate about how England balance Kane’s movement with the pace around him, but nights like this show why he remains so difficult to leave out of any conversation about how far this side can go.
Bellingham’s influence was different, but just as important. He gave England their third goal at a crucial time and helped shift the mood after a first half that had become too open. Rashford’s late contribution then finished the job and stopped Croatia from forcing another uncomfortable ending.
Still, the result should not hide the questions.
England conceded twice after taking the lead. They allowed Croatia back into the game when they should have been looking to tighten their grip. Against Croatia, the attacking quality was enough to cover those gaps. Against stronger sides later in the competition, that might not be the case.
That is where the performance sits: impressive in attack, imperfect in control.
For a first game, England will take it. Four goals against Croatia is a strong start, and winning the opener removes some of the early pressure that can build quickly at major tournaments. Tuchel now has a result, goals for his forwards, and clear areas to work on before Ghana.
That is probably the best way to view it.
England are up and running. Their key players have made an early mark. The attacking side of the team already looks capable of hurting good opponents.
But if this World Cup is going to become something serious for England, the next step is obvious.
They need to turn dangerous spells into controlled performances.
Crano Sports 
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