England finally got their World Cup campaign up and running with a somewhat wobbly 4-2 win over Croatia. Harry Kane scored twice in the first half, Jude Bellingham added the third before Marcus Rashford sealed the victory late on after coming off the bench.
Thomas Tuchel will be pleased to get the three points but will know that this was far from perfect from England who looked out of sorts in defence and were disjointed in attack on occasions.
But who stood out from the crowd and did their hopes of becoming a World Cup regular a power of good and who fluffed their lines and will be nervous about the teamsheet for the next group match, against Ghana next Tuesday?
Daily Mail Sport’s CRAIG HOPE was at the Dallas Stadium to rate the players…
Harry Kane is congratulated by Jude Bellingham after the captain gave England the lead against Croatia
ENGLAND (4-2-3-1)
JORDAN PICKFORD – 5/10
Should be disappointed with first goal – a super strike from Baturina but he got a hand to it and was not strong enough. His kicking was fine, but there was still a feeling of nervousness not normally associated with Pickford. Couple of decent saves at 3-2.
REECE JAMES – 5
Does not look 100 per cent and why should he be after missing two months between March and May? Was slow on Croatia’s second goal and did not offer enough in attack. Probably needs to stay in team to build fitness and confidence. Did job in midfield late on.
EZRI KONSA – 3
Shaky start when he twice lost the ball early on. Also needed Pickford to bail him out after Musa got in behind. First half got worse and Perisic ran off him to create second goal. This felt like a good game for Marc Guehi, and he could replace Konsa versus Ghana.
JOHN STONES – 4
Went to ground far too easily when outdone for Croatia’s first goal. Looked like a defender who has played just 86 minutes in the Premier League in six months. There were some important recoveries as game went on. Tuchel can only hope he gets stronger.
John Stones barks orders during England’s World Cup opening fixture in Dallas but he had a poor game
NICO O’REILLY – 5
Nervy at times and you’d worry about him at left back against the very best. Showed more quality when stepping inside and used ball smartly, as he can. But he’s in the team to be a defender and he feels like a point of vulnerability. Did not make one tackle.
DECLAN RICE – 5
A wonderful, out-swinging corner for Kane’s second, but from open play he offered far too little. Where was the control? The bite? Played like he has done all too often at tournaments for England – on the periphery. Not awful, but way below what he can, and should, do.
ELLIOT ANDERSON – 6
England needed him early on to correct the sloppiness of others, but he became part of the midfield struggle in the first half. Was the pick of the bunch in there before the break and never hid, but this was short of his very best, even though through-ball led to third goal.
England’s Elliot Anderson charges through the midfield against Croatia – he was the best on show in the centre of the park
NONI MADUEKE – 5
Was clever in winning the penalty from Modric. Had plenty of space in the first half and saw plenty of the ball, but did not do enough with it, even though there was later a teasing cross for Bellingham. Too indecisive and lacks quality in key moments.
JUDE BELLINGHAM – 7
Just three touches inside first 15 minutes reflected early anonymity. A couple of nice involvements at 1-0 but lost challenge on halfway for first Croatia equaliser. So much better after half-time and strong run and smart finish proved decisive. That’s why he’s in the team, where he must remain.
ANTHONY GORDON – 3
Anonymous first half of only nine touches. Just could not get into the game and seemed to play within himself when he was involved, with two dribbles going nowhere. Did not look like Barcelona’s new £70m winger. He’s better than this, as he showed in final warm-up match.
HARRY KANE – 8
God save the Kane! Without him, England lose. But let us hope we don’t see the stutter run-up again, because he got lucky with re-taken penalty. Played as a quarter-back at times, dropping deep and attempting to spring wingers clear. But he was where he was needed for super headed second, as he usually is.
Captain Kane celebrates his second goal for England against Croatia in Dallas
SUBSTITUTES
BUKAYO SAKA (on for Madueke 72) – 7
Immediately showed why England need him fit with assist and role in fourth goal.
MARCUS RASHFORD (on for Gordon 72) – 7
Cool finish to seal the game and will feel he’s made his case for a start.
MORGAN ROGERS (on for Rice 72) – 5
Disciplined in helping to see out the game but no moment of magic.
DJED SPENCE (on for Bellingham 80) – 6
Came close to scoring when busting clear and was lively.
MARC GUEHI (on for Stones 87) – N/A
MANAGER
THOMAS TUCHEL – 6
Assistant Anthony Barry called the first-half performance ‘complicated and confusing’, and he was not wrong. That is on Tuchel. Personnel picked and instruction did not work, or at least was not listened to. Got out of jail because of Kane and Bellingham but deserves credit for half-time speech to bring about improvement.
Do you agree with Craig’s ratings? Now submit YOUR verdicts on every England player against Croatia… was someone worth a 2/10? And who was a perfect 10?
CROATIA
Livakovic 7; Stanisic 4, Sutalo 4, Vuskovic 5 (Pasalic 66, 5), Gvardiol 5, Perisic 6; Pasalic 4, Modric 5 (Kovacic 58, 5), Sucic 7, Baturina 7; Musa 7 (Matanovic 66, 5)
Manager: Z Dalic 5
Referee: Clement Turpin 7
