Croatia fall to England in World Cup opener

Croatia opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a defeat to England in Dallas, though the scoreline from the Group L clash remains unconfirmed (1). Clinton Morrison pointed to defensive frailties in the England setup, noting he was surprised Thomas Tuchel did not start Marc Guehi, and warned that "better teams will cause England problems" (1). For Croatia, that assessment will sting, it suggests an opportunity missed against a side that looked vulnerable at the back. Luka Modric's men now face an uphill fight to progress from a group where England were always the favourites, but where a point felt within reach on the night.