England 4-2 Croatia
A box-office occasion under a closed roof in south-east Texas, a state which is on flood watch after a number of biblical downpours in the past two days.
Ultimately, the contest very much lived up to its billing and delivered plenty of World Cup 2026 highlights.
But it also demonstrated to this SBOTOP observer why I won’t be backing either England or Croatia with our World Cup 2026 betting odds when it comes to the latter stages.
Highlights of the game
England have long dared to dream of World Cup glory as they faced opponents who beat them in the 2018 semi-finals.
Since then, the Three Lions have improved and, in Captain Marvel Harry Kane and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, have two genuine world class talents.
Both men showed here why they will always be a threat to any opponent.
Further back though is where I think they will come unstuck.
For generations, fans have criticised the selections of England managers and, in Thomas Tuchel, they have a proven winner in the dugout.
Yet to me, the decision to stockpile centre backs: John Stones, Esri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Jarell Quansah, Dan Burn and now Trevoh Chalobah (a late call to replace the injured full-back Tino Livramento) could prove costly should Reece James or Nico O’Reilly be ruled out of action in the latter stages of the tournament.
It makes the decision not to include Real Madrid’s right back Trent Alexander-Arnold all the more puzzling, even if he combines defensive flaws with attacking weapons.
The chances are they will get away with it for now, though.
Certainly Croatia, for all their artistry, are not the side they were eight years ago, or indeed at the 2022 World Cup when they secured third place.
Their group stage exit at Euro 2024 was proof of that.
While better nations could well expose both sides in the month to come, this was a highly enjoyable contest for the neutral.
It didn’t take too long before the deadlock was broken as veteran Croat captain
Luka Modric failed to get to the ball before England young gun Noni Madueke and conceded an obvious penalty.
While Kane’s spot kick was initially saved by the impressive Dominik Livakovic, he was adjudged to have moved off his line before the ball was kicked and, when offered a second opportunity, Kane made no mistake.
Nine minutes before the break triggered a spell of three quick fire goals.
Martin Baturina produced a quite superb strike to level things up on the edge of the area, although goalkeeper Jordan Pickford should probably have done better.
It was then Croatia’s turn to be lax as a superb Declan Rice corner was powered home by Kane as, inexcusably, he was left unmarked.
The first half scoring was still not over as, in the final minute of first half stoppage time, Mario Pasalic dinked the ball invitingly, Ivan Perisic cushioned a header and there was Petar Musa who expertly sidefooted the ball into the bottom right hand corner.
The second half was a very different scenario as England took control when, virtually straight after restart, a brilliant ball from wanted midfielder Elliot Anderson dissected the Croatian defence.
There was still much for Bellingham to do as he ran through.
But he burst into the box with great pace and guided the ball perfectly in off the post.
It sparked a spell of dominance with Bellingham, Rice, Konsa and Kane all denied by Livakovic, while young full-back O’Reilly (again unmarked) should have converted a corner.
England were reminded there was only one goal in it when Pickford did well to keep out a bending effort from Pasalic, but that was a rare Croatia attacking foray in the second period and, after the keeper denied marauding full-back Djed Spence, the game was wrapped up when three substitutes combined.
Spence slid the ball across to Bukayo Saka and his early pass found Marcus Rashford, in acres of space, who touched the ball from left to right and cooly rifled into the far corner.
A super attacking display, even if the biggest tests are yet to come.
Key statistics
England have lost only two of their last 18 matches across all competitions (drawn one, lost two).
This was the first victory in 14 that England have failed to keep a clean sheet.
Croatia have won only one of their last four games.
What’s next?
England meet Ghana next Tuesday (June 23), a few hours before Croatia entertain the minnows of Panama.
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