Fifa World Cup 2026: England score four goals and top their group after beating Croatia 4-2 - highlights
Thomas Tuchel's team next play against Ghana on Tuesday at Boston Stadium - should Marcus Rashford start that game?
Harry Kane scores twice to put himself in the running to win Golden Boot again
From one to 48 - every World Cup team ranked after first game
England 4-2 Croatia
David James
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live 606
Thomas Tuchel has three players, Kane, Bellingham and Rashford, who play abroad and can be successful for England whilst not being exposed to English football.
Rashford was reborn playing out in Spain.
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Not impressed with Gordon, and Rashford should definitely start ahead of him. Stones needs to be dropped as well unfortunately. I like Stones but Guehi should start.
Adam, Norwich
Gordon didn’t receive the ball enough out wide. Madueke seemed to see far more of the ball. We need to make opponents feel we can threaten from both flanks, not just one.
Phil, Hampshire
Gordon is more exciting but his lack of goal scoring prowess let's him down where as Rashford is a goalscorer.
Chris, Herne Bay
England 4-2 Croatia
Image source, Getty ImagesOnly Gary Lineker, Harry Kane, and Geoff Hurst have scored more World Cup goals for England than Marcus Rashford.
England's top scorer at World Cups
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No goals conceded in qualifying mostly with Konsa and Guehi in the centre, John Stones comes in and it looks shaky. Granted quality of oppostion, however if ain't broke, don't fix it.
Aaron, Oxfordshire
Stones looked very rusty last night. Definitely want to see Guehi come in after the season he’s had.
Thomas, Reading
England 4-2 Croatia
Substitute Rashford scores England's fourth against Croatia
Marcus Rashford made his mark off the bench against Croatia, coming on late and scoring the goal that sealed England’s 4-2 win.
Replacing Anthony Gordon on the left in the 72nd minute, the winger produced a composed finish five minutes from time to end any lingering concerns for Thomas Tuchel's side.
Rashford's club future still remain uncertain after Barcelona opted against making his loan move from Manchester United permanent.
And he looked every bit a player with something to prove in his brief appearance in Dallas last night.
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Interesting decisions ahead for Tuchel. Rashford, Guehi and Spence all outperformed the players they replaced. Saka also looked much sharper than I think was feared. Good problems for the coach to have. Stones and James looked off the pace - not surprising given their lack of games.
Matt, St Albans
Guehi for Konsa. Rashford for Gordon. Apart from that the balance is spot on.
Aidan, Stoke-on-Trent
Ghana 1-0 Panama
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland's next game is against Ghana, who denied Panama of their first-ever World Cup point with a 95th-minute winner in the early hours of this morning.
With six minutes added on at the end of match of few chances, Coventry City's Brandon Thomas-Asante raced down the left, beat his marker, and squared the ball for Caleb Yirenkyi, who tapped it in.
The result was perhaps harsh on Panama, who had matched the four-time African champions in only their fourth World Cup appearance since their debut in 2018.
Highlights: Last gasp drama in Ghana vs Panama
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Would you start Marcus Rashford over Anthony Gordon? Does Marc Guehi deserve a chance in central defence?
We would like to know who you would pick to start for England against Ghana in their second group stage outing.
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England 4-2 Croatia
England
So England are up and running at this World Cup with a confident opening win against Croatia.
But there’s a long road ahead and sterner tests are surely to come. Ghana are up next on Tuesday, 23 June (21:00 BST), and they will offer a very different kind of challenge.
And Thomas Tuchel will have some big calls to make - especially at the back and on that left flank perhaps?
England 4-2 Croatia
Conor Coady
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
The conversation has come around Jude Bellingham because of the height he has set himself. He can create moments at the flip of a coin.
The reason we all talk about him is because he's that good. I think Harry Kane is on his own level and Jude Bellingham is well on his way.
England 4-2 Croatia
Paul Robinson
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Football Daily
Thomas Tuchel has had to make Jude Bellingham a team player. He has left him out of the squad and dropped him from the starting XI this year and made him realise that there are other players in the team and that he is not the main star attraction.
And when you've got a Bellingham with this attitude and application and playing to that level, you can see Tuchel is reaping his reward with that kind of performance from him. He is a player for the big moments and he showed the reason why Tuchel decided to start him against Croatia.
England 4-2 Croatia
Micah Richards
Former England defender
Jude Bellingham is a big-game player.
Morgan Rogers is fantastic as well, but in the moment where you needed him, he comes up trumps and that is the difference.
England 4-2 Croatia
Bellingham 'put noise aside' before England win over Croatia
More from Jude Bellingham on whether he has arrived with added impetus: "A little bit. I've got a little bit of a chip on my shoulder."
In response to whether he plays better like that: "I think so. That helps me a lot to find that focus early in the game, to find that intensity.
"I know it's part of being a footballer, I don't hold a grudge about anyone that says bad things about me because sometimes I do deserve it and today, I think it was nice to try and show people and remind people what I'm about."
England 4-2 Croatia
Image source, Getty ImagesHere's what Thomas Tuchel had to say about Jude Bellingham:
“You can rely on Jude in these moments. He loves these pressure games. That brings out the best in him, so that’s an easy decision to let him play and to trust him.
"Also, because of the last 16 days, 17 days, how he bought into the idea of team spirit and brotherhood, and into the idea of how we want to play football, which is slightly different to his position in Real Madrid.
"The tough, tough decision was today to say to Morgan Rogers that he will not start because he deserves 100 per cent to start, and he did ever so well for us and then for me.
"I think Jude was very reliable and did his very best to be a top team player for us."
England 4-2 Croatia
One of the main talking points around selection before England's first group game against Croatia was whether boss Thomas Tuchel would pick Bellingham or Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers in the number 10 role behind captain Harry Kane.
Bellingham was chosen to start in Dallas and scored England's crucial third goal just after half-time, so the right decision?
England 4-2 Croatia
At 22 years and 363 days, Jude Bellingham is the youngest European player in history to make an appearance at four different major tournaments.
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland 4-2 Croatia
England
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland midfielder Jude Bellingham, speaking to BBC Sport: "For me personally, it was nice to put some of the noise aside and show my country, show my teammates, how committed I am to helping us win football matches.
"I think it was a great team performance second half. First half we still got the intensity right but with the ball not quite there and second half I think we put it all together nicely.
"Again, to contribute to help my team, help my country is one of the biggest honours, regardless of the noise outside that honour doesn't change for me."
England 4-2 Croatia
We’ve talked plenty about Harry Kane this morning, so it’s only fair we turn the spotlight elsewhere now.
How about Jude Bellingham who was just as impressive?
Bellingham give England the lead again at the start of the second half
England 4-2 Croatia
Image source, Alastair Brookes
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Some very tired kids at the school gate this morning - but worth every minute of staying up late. This generation don't know how good they have it. An exciting England opener to a World Cup - not what I grew up watching.
Jodi
Wrote in yesterday about my 5-year-old staying up for the match. He managed the first half and was absolutely BUZZING to hear we won 4-2 this morning. Cue him being Harry Kane, scoring penalties and headers for an hour before school. He's hooked!
Calum
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
