England player ratings as Three Lions open World Cup campaign with Croatia win | OneFootball

England’s electrifying attack took charge of Group L with all three points in a 4-2 victory over Croatia who scored two impressive goals which made for a 2026 FIFA World Cup thriller.

A captain’s brace from Harry Kane with a penalty and a header in the first half was cancelled out by two well-worked Croatia goals, but Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford’s goals in the second half secured the win for the Three Lions, making for a thriller of a first game for head coach Thomas Tuchel at the major tournament.

England player ratings v Croatia

Starting XI

Jordan Pickford – 6/10

He’ll be disappointed to have conceded Martin Baturina’s goal as he got an outstretched hand to it, but he made saves in the game afterwards that he should be making.

Reece James – 5/10

His dynamism certainly allowed for a dual threat down the right flank with Madueke but he was poor for Croatia’s second goal. Showed his versatility closing out the game in midfield in the latter stages of the match.

Ezri Konsa – 6/10

The Europa League winner wasn’t at his best today, lacking an aerial presence and was also at fault for Croatia’s second goal. But he was another who grew into the game in the second half.

John Stones – 5/10

Sloppy today, and it’s his glaring error going to ground for the first goal. It’ll be interesting to see if Tuchel sticks with the centre-back partnership or if Marc Guehi comes in for the next game.

Nico O’Reilly – 5/10

Average performance for the Manchester City left-back as he was out of position for the first goal and didn’t really have the opportunity to bomb down the left flank and connect with Anthony Gordon.

Eliot Anderson – 7/10

The Nottingham Forest midfielder had a slow start in the first half but it didn’t let it get to him, playing the first time pass in the second half to put Bellingham through on goal and score.

Declan Rice – 7/10

From open play not everything came off, but his set pieces are ridiculously deadly. Every corner he delivered caused major issues for the Croatian defence, and one of those was a pacey out-swinging ball to assist Harry Kane’s firm header.

Noni Madueke – 7/10

Very lively in his debut World Cup game, winning the penalty and being very direct in his play. His inviting cross to Bellingham was close to being converted, showcasing his threat from a creative standpoint.

Jude Bellingham – 9/10

England’s number 10 popped up with a crucial goal right at the start of the second half and tirelessly ran to help defensively and win duels in the centre of the pitch.

Anthony Gordon – 5/10

The newly signed Barcelona winger wasn’t as involved in the game like he would’ve liked and should’ve scored from very close range before he was substituted.

Harry Kane – 10/10

A bit of a scare when his penalty was saved but after an encroachment was spotted in the box, he made no mistake on the retake and was clinical from the spot. He was at the double when he headed from a corner and goes level with Gary Lineker as England’s all-time top goalscorer at the FIFA World Cup. Was tirelessly dropping deep to spray passes to the wingers and made a massive block near the end of the match. Pure class from the Bayern Munich forward.

Substitutes

Morgan Rogers – 7/10

Created a good chance for Djed Spence with a weighted through ball into his path when he came on.

Bukayo Saka – 7/10

Instant impact off the bench as he assisted Rashford to seal the game with the fourth goal.

Marcus Rashford – 8/10

Thomas Tuchel must be delighted as the left-winger was effective with his final action, a lovely goal slotted into the bottom right corner to put the game out of reach for Croatia.

Djed Spence – 7/10

Diligent defensively when he came on and looked a threat on the overlap.