England launched their 2026 World Cup campaign with a statement of attacking intent and a reminder of familiar frailties, defeating Croatia 4-2 in a breathless contest at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Harry Kane scored twice — first from a twice-taken penalty after Luka Modrić fouled Noni Madueke, then with a header from a Declan Rice corner — to draw level with Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading scorer at the finals. His double also lifted him past Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally of eight World Cup goals, cementing the Bayern Munich striker’s status as the tournament’s pre-eminent centre-forward. Yet for all the firepower, Thomas Tuchel’s side twice surrendered leads before the interval, Martin Baturina and Petar Musa ensuring the sides went in level at 2-2.

What transformed the evening was a half-time intervention that players and manager later described in unusually candid terms. Tuchel acknowledged the first period had been “complicated and confusing,” with England retreating into safe possession and lacking rhythm. Assistant coach Anthony Barry delivered a blunt critique, and Tuchel’s own message — that if they were to lose, they would do so on their own terms — sparked an immediate response. Two minutes after the restart, Jude Bellingham collected a long pass, held off his marker and finished across Dominik Livaković. Marcus Rashford added a fourth late on, and England’s second-half control was near total. A touchline flashpoint between Tuchel and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, noted by Indonesian and Spanish outlets, hinted at the emotional intensity the German has brought to the role.

Viewed from European capitals, the performance divided opinion. Spanish analysts celebrated Kane as the world’s finest number nine and praised England’s attacking verve, while Swedish observers noted that Bellingham’s display had settled a pre-match debate about his starting place. British correspondents, however, tempered enthusiasm with concern over a defence that conceded twice and looked vulnerable whenever Croatia — still orchestrated by the 40-year-old Modrić — shifted gears. In Asian media, the narrative centred on Tuchel’s tactical acumen, with Indonesian and Indian reports highlighting Kane’s post-match tribute to the manager’s ability to reset the team’s mentality.

The result, combined with Ghana’s stoppage-time win over Panama, puts England top of Group L on goal difference. For a nation that lost to Croatia in the 2018 semi-finals and has often stumbled against elite opposition, this was both a cathartic victory and a warning. The attacking riches are undeniable, but the path beyond the group stage will demand a defensive coherence that was absent for long stretches in Dallas. With Portugal labouring to a draw against DR Congo and Colombia dispatching Uzbekistan elsewhere, England’s opening salvo positions them as early contenders — provided Tuchel can fuse the flair with the steel required in a tournament spread across three host nations.