Metro
England player ratings as Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham shine in thrilling win over Croatia
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England got their World Cup campaign off to a pulsating start as Harry Kane struck twice and Jude Bellingham starred in a breathless 4-2 victory over Croatia.
The Three Lions broke the deadlock in only the 12th minute as captain fantastic Kane converted from the spot having been given the chance to retake his initial saved effort for encroachment from Josko Gvardiol.
Thomas Tuchel’s men appeared in complete control of the Group L contest as the first half wore on, but Croatia dug deep and found an equaliser through Martin Baturina in the 36th minute.
The momentum swung again as Kane headed home an exquisite Declan Rice corner to restore England’s advantage just six minutes later, only for Petar Musa to repay the favour with a superb volley on the stroke of half-time in Dallas.
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Kane’s double saw the Bayern Munich striker go level with Gary Lineker’s all-time England record of ten goals at World Cups.
With Tuchel’s words no doubt ringing in their ears, England flew out of the blocks in the second period and were rewarded for their efforts as Bellingham beat the impressive Dominik Livakovic with a composed run and finish as Croatia were caught napping.
Kane took centre-stage with a record-equaling double for England in Dallas (Picture: Getty)
Tuchel rung the changes as the clock ticked down and it was two of England’s substitutes who combined to put the game to bed, with Marcus Rashford keeping his cool after a perfectly weighted ball from Bukayo Saka.
England will look to safely secure passage into the knockout phase when they return to action against Ghana next Tuesday. Tuchel’s side wrap up their group-stage campaign versus Panama on June 27.
ENGLAND PLAYER RATINGS OUT OF 10
Jordan Pickford – 6
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Making his 27th major international tournament appearance for the Three Lions, Pickford barely had anything to do in the opening exchanges, instead patrolling his troops and barking orders in his own inimitable way.
But out of nowhere, Croatia made it all square, and Pickford was only able to get a finger to Baturina’s superb 36th-minute strike. He perhaps should have done better.
There may also be an argument for Pickford getting his body in the way of Croatia’s second equaliser, a stunning volleyed effort by Musa, but it would be a harsh one.
After Bellingham made it 3-2, Pickford produced a fine stop to keep out Marco Pasalic’s dangerous bending effort.
Reece James – 7
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After his call-up last month, the World Cup debutant may have been relieved just to make the plane after years of injury woes which have savaged his career for both club and country.
Up against the vastly experienced Perisic, the Chelsea captain hardly put a foot wrong and did a sterling job shutting out the PSV Eindhoven star to the point of anonymity… until the veteran winger’s assist for Musa in the fifth minute of added time at the end of the first half.
James’ only real contribution from an attacking perspective was to fire a speculative, 30-yard free-kick directly into a Croatian wall towards the end of the first half.
Ezri Konsa – 7
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Was blameless for Croatia’s equaliser towards the end of the first period and showed once again he can be relied upon when given the nod on the big stage.
Yes, it was the Villa defender’s leg that kept Perisic onside for Croatia’s second equaliser on the stroke of half-time, but there were millimeters in it – and Musa deserves all the credit for his stellar volleyed finish.
Should be pleased with his night’s work.
John Stones – 6
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England’s wise old head in a largely inexperienced defence, Stones showed signs of rustiness in a shaky start to the game, dallying on the ball to help gift the opposition an early corner.
The 32-year-old – who managed just five league starts for Manchester City last season – grew into the contest but would undoubtedly have been disappointed to have allowed two goals to through in a breathless first half.
Tuchel will be desperate to get more minutes in Stones’ legs in England’s last remaining group matches against Ghana and Panama.
Nico O’Reilly – 8
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There was a nervous moment early on as O’Reilly and Stones combined to give Croatia a corner, but the 21-year-old left-back showed once again why he is considered one of English football’s brightest young talents.
Considering O’Reilly chipped in with nine goals for Manchester City last term, Tuchel may ideally have wanted a little more from the teenager going forward, but that will surely come as the tournament progresses.
Was unfortunate to have a header denied by the impressive Livakovic as England peppered the Croatian goal in a frantic period midway through the second half.
Elliot Anderson – 5
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With rumours swirling over his club future back home, the Nottingham Forest star did not look at all out of place on his World Cup debut against the might of Luka Modric in Croatia’s midfield.
At the same time, Anderson fell short of the level of performance he reached in his early showings for his country – and it was the midfielder’s misplaced pass which led to Baturina’s goal in a pulsating end to the first half.
Not a disastrous showing by any means but definite room for improvement.
Declan Rice – 8
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Whipped an unbelievable corner onto the head of Kane in the dying moments of the first half, repeating what he had been doing all season long from set-pieces with Arsenal.
It’s an extraordinary weapon that will have opposition defences quaking into their boots this summer.
Produced a typically combative and all-action display in open play and sprung to life in the second half, sending a curling effort into the corner of the Croatian goal – only to be denied by a flying Livakovic.
Noni Madueke – 9
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Given the nod over Arsenal team-mate Saka, who has been managing an Achilles injury, Madueke enjoyed a dream start to his first World Cup campaign, drawing a clumsy foul from Modric for Kane’s ninth-minute penalty.
With confidence oozing, Madueke very nearly doubled England’s lead with a smart dribble down the right flank in the 16th minute, only to be denied by a flailing Croatian leg with his resulting strike.
On the half-hour mark, Madueke should really have had an assist to his name, but Bellingham was unable to get on a foot on the winger’s delicious ball across the face of goal.
Undoubtedly one of his finest performances yet for his country. Saka may have a fight on his hands in winning back his spot out wide.
Jude Bellingham – 9
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The debate surrounding Tuchel’s favoured No.10 raged ahead of tonight’s clash, with Morgan Rogers staking his claim for the position on the back of an outstanding campaign with Aston Villa.
But Bellingham was the man chosen to support Harry Kane in the hole and the pair showed real signs of promise as the first half wore on, instinctively finding each other in pockets to give Croatia’s defenders a constant headache. It was a sign of things to come for the Real Madrid superstar.
With just two minutes on the clock in the second period, Bellingham sent England fans into raptures with a solo wondergoal to restore the advantage – and he could have had a second just moments later were it not for the brilliant Livakovic.
Anthony Gordon – 6
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It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Gordon following a £69m move from Newcastle to the Camp Nou and the winger will have been desperate to hit the ground running.
But the Barcelona’s new £69m toy had a relatively quiet game by his sky-high standards.
Gordon’s defensive work should not be overlooked, though, with the 25-year-old putting in a tireless shift down the left flank in support of O’Reilly before coming off for Rashford.
Harry Kane – 9
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England’s talisman and captain looked to have squandered an early chance to put the Three Lions in front from the spot, with Livakovic diving to his left to parry away the striker’s effort.
But replays showed had Gvardiol encroached in the build-up and Kane was handed an almighty let-off, making no mistake with his follow-up effort down the same side.
Before too long, the Bayern Munich forward had his second of the match, sending a thumping header beyond the Croatian ‘keeper from Rice’s 42nd-minute corner to restore England’s lead.
It saw Kane go level with the great Gary Lineker on ten goals at World Cups.
SUBSTITUTES
Marcus Rashford – 8
Gave Livakovic a scare after replacing Gordon, but the Croatian goalkeeper was alert enough to snuff out the danger and scramble a misplaced pass away to safety.
Morgan Rogers – 6
Had a few eye-catching moments after being brought on in place of Rice, but has his work cut out in displacing Bellingham from the team.
Bukayo Saka – 8
Made an almost immediate impact and played a key role to put England out of sight in the 85th minute, assisting Rashford’s strike with a perfectly weighted ball.
Djed Spence – 7
Showed his searing pace after replacing Bellingham in the second half, with Livakovic getting down well to stop the Tottenham flyer’s poked effort from close range.
Marc Guehi – 5
Not on the field long to make any meaningful contributions at either end of the pitch.
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