Many reports in England indicated weeks ago that Bellingham, as happened with Foden or Palmer, was not far from being left out of England’s list for the 2026 World Cup. However, Tuchel gave him the alternative ahead of Rogers… and he responded to the trust placed in him by putting together a display rounded off with the goal that clarified England’s victory against an always ‘combative’ Croatia. They were waiting for him.
Bellingham’s was not the only novelty in England’s eleven. Stones and Madueke, Guéhi and Saka’s substitutes at City and Arsenal, also started. Gordon also won the game against Rashford. Dalic also surprised by drawing a line of three (asymmetrical) in Croatia, betting on the young Vuskovic. Without Kovacic, it was Petar Sucic, with Pasalic and Baturina a few meters higher, who escorted Modric… while Musa started ahead of Budimir at the top.
The greater self-sufficiency away from the area that is assumed for the Dallas striker, who was playing at ‘home’, was a declaration of intent on Dalic’s part. Croatia came out giving up the initiative and protected itself in the middle block. A scenario where England, even more so since Tuchel’s arrival on the bench, does not feel particularly comfortable.
The whole plan, however, was blown up in the eighth minute when, after a corner taken by Rice, Modric fell asleep and, in his attempt to clear the ball, committed a penalty on Madueke. Luka seemed to have saved himself with Livakovic’s stop on Kane. However, Turpin ordered a repeat for having gone ahead and, on the second try, did not forgive the Bayern striker.
He redeemed himself from the maximum penalty against France in the quarterfinals of Qatar 2022 and is the first to score five goals from eleven meters in the history of the World Cup. It was also the support point that oxygenated England’s exit with its descents. A declared fan of the NFL, he dressed as a ‘quarterback’.
With the advantage that the score gave them, England turned the approach around and invited him to propose Croatia. Bellingham’s work was commendable. He starred in an action of ‘goal value’ by going to the ground to block a shot by Musa from the heart of the area…. and he benefited from the mobility of Kane flooding the area coming from behind. Sutalo was about to commit another penalty when he attacked a lateral delivery by Madueke in transition.
Little by little, Vuskovic gained confidence in his jumps… and that’s how Baturina scored the equalizer in the 36th minute. He anticipated Bellingham himself, set up the counter against Croatia and the Como playmaker put the ball into the corner from the edge of the area following a pass from Petar Sucic. Pickford touched it… but the ball came out like a ‘rocket’.
Tuchel couldn’t believe it. But, on the brink of half-time, England once again got oil from set pieces. Rice put it in and Kane benefited from his teammates’ blocks to enter like a ‘train’ from the front. He equaled Lineker’s 10 goals in World Cups. Croatia, however, showed the pride that always characterizes them in these events and, in the last play of the first half, Musa tied the match again, taking advantage of an exquisite volley from the ‘everlasting’ Perisic.
England went to the locker room with mixed feelings. They had felt superior… but Croatia had punished them with two ‘sparks’. But, before the second half got warm, Bellingham detected a ‘hole’ in the right sector of the ‘chess’ defense, drew the unmarking to Anderson, stood in the area and crossed in front of Livakovic. The icing on the cake to continue rounding out his great performance.
Stealing and counter-punching, England once again felt extremely comfortable… while Livakovic had to multiply to keep Croatia on their feet. Dalic was even forced to withdraw Modric before the match time was up. At 40 years old, the truth is that the pace was passing him by. He also did not wait too long to dismantle the line of three, placing Perisic as a winger.
Tuchel, for his part, exhibited his wardrobe. Saka and Rashford came on for Gordon and Madueke to dynamite the match. Now, he took risks by retiring Rice to give Rogers minutes. The advantage was minimal… and Marco Pasalic put fear into their bodies. It didn’t take long for the German coach to react, bringing in Spence to place Reece James in midfield and, with five minutes remaining, Marcus finished seal a convincing victory for England.
