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League: EurosSport: SoccerCountry: EnglandCategory: Scores & Results

England secures 4-2 victory over Croatia after tough first half

4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 2:11 AM

Last updated Jun 18, 2026

England secures 4-2 victory over Croatia after tough first half
Summary

England achieved a 4-2 victory against Croatia after a challenging first half in their recent match. Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, noted that his team lacked bravery and struggled to find a rhythm early on, ending the first half at 2-2. However, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford's goals after the break secured the win. Tuchel praised the players' improved performance, emphasizing their commitment in the second half. Captain Harry Kane acknowledged Tuchel's motivational talk at halftime, focusing on playing their own game.

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By the Numbers
  • •England led at halftime with a score of 2-2.
  • •Harry Kane scored both of England's first-half goals.
  • •Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford scored in the second half.
  • •Tuchel highlighted the need for improvement in player bravery.
  • •The match showcased England's resilience and tactical adjustments.
Latest Updates
  • 5:59 AMYahoo Sports — Inside the England dressing room and Thomas Tuchel’s team-talk that sparked World Cup win over Croatia
  • 2:11 AMYahoo Sports — Tuchel says he told England ‘to be ourselves’ during win over Croatia
  • 11:35 PMYahoo Sports — Tuchel says England were ‘not brave enough’ in first half against Croatia – but hails his players’ reaction to secure victory
What they're saying
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Thomas Tuchel was delighted by England’s courageous second-half display after his half-time pep talk inspired a thrilling 4-2 win against Croatia in Wednesday’s World Cup opener. The back-to-back European Championship finalists made an eye-catching start to the tournament in Texas, where Harry Kane twice saw goals cancelled out in a stop-start opening period.

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“Tuchel has given them an absolute rocket at half-time, they were blasted,” said Sky Sports’ Gary Neville on ITV. “It was a really good second half. Some of the things they did in the first 10 minutes of the second half were fantastic.”

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Thomas Tuchel hailed the reaction of his England players in their 4-2 win over Croatia after what he described as a “complicated” first half.England went in at the break level at 2-2, with Croatia...

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