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England v Croatia LIVE: Harry Kane reveals Thomas Tuchel’s half-time ‘speech’ after thumping World Cup win
England 4-2 Croatia: Kane levelled Gary Lineker’s World Cup record and credited Tuchel’s half-time team talk for inspiring a dominant second-half performance
England stormed to a 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening World Cup 2026 match in Dallas after manager Thomas Tuchel’s half-time speech inspired the Three Lions to a thumping win.
England were a little shaky in the first half and were twice pegged back by Croatia after two goals from Harry Kane. At half-time, assistant coach Anthony Barry ripped into a “complicated and confusing” performance and Tuchel also had stern words for his players at the break.
It brought an immediate reaction and a third goal thanks to Jude Bellingham, who was too powerful down the right as he fired England ahead. Tuchel’s side were also dominant in the opening spell of the second half, with Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic preventing a huge scoreline.
England then flexed their strength and depth, with substitutes Bukayo Saka combining with Marcus Rashford to provide breathing room with a fourth handing them a two-goal cushion to cap an impressive display and victory.
“Credit to the manager, he gave us a speech at half-time and said if we lose, we lose in our way and I think we saw that in the way we came out in the second half,” England captain Kane said. “We went full gas and they couldn't live with it.”
Follow all the reaction from Dallas below:
Harry Kane reveals what Thomas Tuchel said to England players at half-time: ‘If we lose, we lose’
Harry Kane revealed what England manager Thomas Tuchel said to his players at half-time of the World Cup win against Croatia on Wednesday.
England were pegged back twice in the first-half in Dallas, with Tuchel’s assistant Anthony Barry criticising the players in an interview with ITV at half-time, describing their display as “complicated and confusing.”
Yet the Three Lions came out in the second-half a team reinvigorated. Jude Bellingham put them back in front with a wonderful solo goal and Tuchel’s side could have been out of sight if it wasn’t for the brilliance of Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
Kane reveals what Tuchel said to England players at half-time in Croatia win
The England manager was unsatisfied with his team’s performance in the first-half against Croatia
Chris Wilson18 June 2026 00:00
Rooney on Croatia goal
“We could do some much better with the first goal. I think there were a few elements,” says former England captain Wayne Rooney on BBC.
“Jude [Bellingham] is a bit flat-footed and the defender comes in and wins the ball. I think John Stones can stay on his feet. There's no real danger and [Jordan] Pickford is in a good position but he doesn't stay on his feet. He gambles and when he dives in and gambles and it means [Nico] O'Reilly has to go across. It's a nice set and good cut back and nice finish.
“Could Jordan Pickford do a bit better? I don't know. He gets a full hand on it. I know it's quick. It's a good goal from a Croatia point of view but there's things England can do better to prevent it.
“I'm always critical of goalkeepers. I think if Jordan is getting a hand on it like he does then he'll be disappointed,” added the former Manchester United man.
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 23:56
Roy Keane and Gary Neville praise England’s ‘breath-taking’ and ‘fantastic’ performance versus Croatia
Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Ian Wright were full of praise for England following their 4-2 victory over Croatia in their first World Cup 2026 group stage game of this summer’s tournament.
The Three Lions had twice taken the lead in the first half, through a Harry Kane brace, but were pegged back by goals from Martin Baturina and Petar Musa.
After the second half restart, England came alive as Jude Bellingham’s individual run and strike restored their lead before Marcus Rashford came off the bench to add a late fourth and secure three points.
Keane and Neville praise England’s ‘breath-taking’ win over Croatia
The Three Lions kickstarted their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 victory in Dallas
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 23:52
“The work that goes into creating that sort of play is obviously one that takes us weeks to get right. Credit to the manager and his staff, they've put us in the right place to take those chances,” explains Bellingham on his goal.
“My responsibility to the team and my country is to give everything I have when I cross the line and wear that badge on my front. I want to give everything I can, it's been a long season for me; I've missed more camps than I'd like.
“The second half was more than flashes, in my opinion. The constant level of intensity without the ball was top level; the substitutions that came on were unbelievable. The pressing from the front, we hit the marker there,” he added.
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 23:48
Bellingham: 'We showed what we're about
“The second half especially, we showed what we're about and the team we want to be. I think the first half, we were still a bit nervous and cagey,” said Jude Bellingham to ITV after full-time.
“With the ball, we rushed a bit but in the second half, we created a nice rhythm and you saw the best of us.
On Tuchel at half-time, he explains: "It wasn't one of those where it was a big drama or standing up and shouting; it was what the team needed. We have a mature group with great leaders in there; everyone knew the level we had to get to. The start of the second half gave us a great platform.”
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 23:44
When is England’s next World Cup game and what do they need to reach the knockouts?
England’s World Cup 2026 campaign is underway following a thrilling 4-2 win against Croatia as Thomas Tuchel’s side target glory in North America this summer.
The Three Lions entered the 48-team tournament as one of the favourites following an unbeaten qualifying campaign and after a prolific season from captain and top striker Harry Kane.
As well as Croatia, England will face Ghana and Panama in the group stages but will be plotting a much deeper run at the tournament as they seek to win a second men’s international tournament following runners-up finishes at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.
When is England’s next World Cup game and what do they need to reach the knockouts?
England got their World Cup campaign up and running with a thrilling victory against Croatia
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 23:40
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.
By that point, Harry Kane had equalled Gary Lineker’s World Cup record of 10 goals thanks to his double, but that seemed no more than a footnote, as if it had come in a different and more disparate match.
The England change that dispatched Croatia to fulfil Tuchel’s World Cup promise
England 4-2 Croatia: Harry Kane’s double and goals from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford proved enough to secure a winning start in Dallas
Miguel Delaney in Dallas17 June 2026 23:36
Kane: England 'controlled the game'
“Without the ball, we went a bit more aggressive. It was difficult. They have players like Luka Modric dropping in and you're trying to figure out who to pick up. The intensity we want at, it's our biggest strength and we'll have to use that more,” explained Kane to ITV.
“The way we controlled the game once we went ahead, we never really looked like we were in danger and then scored on the counter-attack. We had a spell where we could have scored three or four,” he said.
On Jude Bellingham:, Kane added: “Great goal, great run, great finish. You can see the desire from Jude in training. The competition is high-level. Whoever plays is ready and you saw Jude is itching to get out. Fantastic goal."
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 23:32
Kane: 'It was a game of two halves'
“I thought it was a game of two halves. First half, we were OK. Really disappointed to concede in the way we did, I thought we dropped off,” says Harry Kane on ITV at full-time.
“Credit to the manager, he gave us a speech at half-time and said if we lose, we lose in our way and I think we saw that in the way we came out in the second half. We went full gas and they couldn't live with it. Credit to everyone for the first game of the tournament,” added the England captain.
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 23:28
Henry & Ibrahimovic on Kane
“Harry Kane scored two goals but what I liked the most is he blocked a shot in his own area in the last few minutes,” says Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Fox.
“When you see a top player defend like he does, the sacrifice - he wants to win. He’s prepared to do things a star wouldn’t do normally,” he added.
Former France striker Thierry Henry adds: “He's a complete striker, he does it all, if you remember young Kane, it was goals, but he's evolved, he plays in midfield more often than not."
Chris Wilson17 June 2026 23:24
