英格兰队评分：哈里·凯恩和托马斯·图赫尔均获9/10分——但一位5/10分的球星在世界杯揭幕战后被警告

England fans demanded entertaining football at the 2026 World Cup – and that’s exactly what was delivered in Wednesday’s 4-2 win over Croatia.

The Three Lions kicked off their World Cup campaign with a thrilling victory in Arlington against their toughest opponents in Group L.

Harry Kane scored twice to inspire England to a 4-2 win over Croatia in their Group L openerGetty

In Russia eight years ago, Croatia ended England’s dream of winning a first major tournament since 1966.

But a win over Zlatko Dalic’s men could be the springboard for Thomas Tuchel to finally end the country’s 60 years of hurt.

Three Lions roaring

In a topsy-turvy first half which saw four goals and Croatia equalise twice, skipper Harry Kane broke the deadlock from the penalty spot to create World Cup history.

And he can be fortunate he was given the chance to do so after referee Clement Turpin ordered a retake following his original missed effort.

Croatia soon hit back through Martin Baturina’s stunning effort from range, before Kane headed home Declan Rice‘s corner to become England’s joint leading scorer at the World Cup.

That goal was then cancelled out by Petar Musa’s close-range volley, with Jude Bellingham – Europe’s youngest player to feature in four major tournaments – then restoring England’s lead shortly after the break.

While Tuchel’s predecessor Gareth Southgate was criticised for a pedestrian style of play, the new England never looked like resting on their laurels, with substitute Marcus Rashford then getting himself on the score sheet in the closing stages of the match.

If anything, the 4-2 win flattered Croatia, as goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic made a string of top second-half saves to deny Kane, Nico O’Reilly, Anthony Gordon, Declan Rice and Djed Spence.

But even though England impressed when going forward, there is reason for slight concern at how Croatia were able to easily score from their first two meaningful attacks of the game.

Here, talkSPORT’s legendary broadcaster Adrian Durham has rated and slated each player that took to the pitch.

Kane broke the deadlock in the 12th minute from the penalty spotGetty He then restored the Three Lions’ lead with a deft header into the far cornerGetty

Don't Sweat It

Adrian Durham being a straight talker is a Sure thing.

You can rely on the talkSPORT host to be honest and, just like his player ratings, whatever happens Sure won’t ever let you down, official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026

Kane is able

Another major tournament, another dazzling display by Kane.

The Bayern Munich marksman showed why many consider him to be the world’s best striker.

Wearing a Golden Boot patch on his jersey as a result of his heroics in 2018, you wouldn’t bet against the ex-Tottenham man from being top of the goalscoring standings in North America.

Durham purred over the 32-year-old in his ratings, awarding him a 9/10, simply branding him as, ‘Talismanic’.

Kane needs just one more goal to become England’s leading scorer in World Cup history.

England impressed against Croatia in the game of the World Cup so farGetty

Gunner need to do more

Starting ahead of Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke put in an impressive display against Croatia.

It was the former Chelsea forward that won England’s penalty, as he showed his pace by nipping in front of Luka Modric before being kicked to the ground.

Given a 7/10 rating, Durham said: “The great thing about Noni is that he drives at opponents.”

As for his Arsenal teammate Rice, Durham was left underwhelmed, as he urged the West Ham icon to be more progressive on the ball.

Awarded a 5/10, Durham remarked: “I think he was the biggest culprit in England’s strange first half.

“Be more forward-thinking, Dec.”

Madueke proved to be a constant threat for England down the right channelGetty But Durham wants to see more from Rice going forwardGetty

A Tuch of class

Speaking in his half-time assessment of England, Durham raged at England’s defensive lapses, as he remarked: “Sorry, you’re not going to win a World Cup conceding goals like those two, it’s so disheartening.”

England’s passiveness at the back led to Tuchel to demand more from his side, as Anthony Gordon told talkSPORT: “He said, ‘Loosen up,’ he said, ‘This is not what I see in training.’

“The training sessions have been so intense – the highest level – so it wasn’t what we’d done in training and he said that.

“He said, ‘What’s the worse that can happen – we lose the game? So what! Let’s go out and be ourselves.’

“And that really kicked us into gear because we came out strong.”

His speech to the players delighted Durham, with England putting in a one-sided dominant display after the break.

Tuchel’s half-time team talk helped inspire England to a comfortable win over CroatiaGetty

The tactical tweak led to Tuchel being given a 9/10 rating, as Durham said: “Half-time, he told them to ‘loosen up’ and told them ‘this isn’t what I’ve seen in training’ and he woke them up.

“Did his job properly.”

Tuchel will now be hoping for a repeat performance in England’s remaining Group L fixtures against Ghana and Panama.

Here is how Durham rated and slated England’s starting XI

England subs + manager: ratings

SUBS

Bukayo Saka – 7

Marcus Rashford – 7

Morgan Rogers – 8

Djed Spence – 7

Marc Guehi – N/A

MANAGER

Thomas Tuchel – 9

World Cup WhatsApp

Don't miss an update from talkSPORT in our dedicated World Cup WhatsApp channel.

Search for ‘talkSPORT World Cup’ in your ‘Updates’ tab on WhatsApp and we’ll drop the proper, unfiltered football chat straight to your lock screen—no fluff, just pure talkSPORT energy.

It’s where you’ll find out all the new rules to watch out for, England and Scotland reaction and big match player ratings.

Plus there will be loads of debates on the biggest talking points as Haaland, Mbappe, Kane and the biggest names in football descend on America, Canada and Mexico.