Croatia fall 4–2 in World Cup opener as Kane sinks your team

England 4–2 Croatia, Kane delivers in Dallas

A rough night in Texas. Croatia fell 4–2 to England in the Group L opener on Wednesday, undone by a Harry Kane double and a second-half surge your team could not answer (1) (16). Croatia led twice in the first half, and England looked rattled. Then Tuchel's half-time talk hit, and England returned with pace and intent that buried the game (14) (18). Kane's two goals bring him level with Wayne Rooney as England's all-time top scorer (1) (6).

Kane: second half was England's 'best level'

Harry Kane did not hide how England felt after the turnaround. He said the second half against Croatia was England at their 'best level' after giving up the lead twice in the opening 45 minutes (7). Kane credited Tuchel's half-time speech for the shift, 'I tried to encourage them to go for it,' Tuchel said afterwards (14) (18).

Tuchel fumes at photographers during anthem

Thomas Tuchel had an unusual complaint after the win: photographers blocked his view during the national anthem. 'I urgently ask FIFA to change the position of the photographers during the national anthem,' Tuchel said (4) (11). 'It spoiled the experience for me a bit.' He claimed he could not see a single player (4). An odd footnote to a painful night for your team.

Fan reactions

The mood in England-leaning threads is giddy, 'Football is coming home, perhaps this time for real,' as one German outlet translated the vibe (17). But among City fans watching O'Reilly, there was measured praise for the young midfielder against what they called 'one of the most technical and experienced squads in Croatia,' with calls to push him further up the pitch link. Your midfield is still earning that kind of respect, even in defeat.