England vs Croatia player ratings as Bellingham gets 9/10 but Gordon ‘anonymous’

England 4-2 Croatia (Kane 12′ pen, 42′, Bellingham 47′, Rashford 85′ | Baturina 36′, Musa 45+4′)

DALLAS STADIUM — England’s World Cup is up and running in enthralling fashion as they tore Croatia apart in a second half that should set their tempo for their challenge in North America this summer.

They looked as threatening as any team has at this tournament , scoring four and creating 22 chances in a dominant performance against their Group L rivals.

There is work to do at the back – they lost control at the end of the first half – but overall this was as good as Thomas Tuchel could have hoped for .

Here’s how the players rated.

Jordan Pickford – 5/10

Jordan Pickford didn’t look his usual assured self (Photo: Getty)

So often England’s big performer, there have to be question marks over him for Martin Baturina’s leveller and the Petar Musa goal. Looked uncharacteristically ruffled playing out from the back, too.

Reece James – 6/10

There’s work to do for England as a defensive unit but James offered balance and allowed them to attack effectively down the right.

John Stones – 6/10

This mark would have been a lot lower at 45 minutes. Stones is Tuchel’s first choice defender but he looked rusty at points. Improved as the game wore on.

Ezri Konsa – 6/10

Tuchel prizes Konsa’s physicality and England needed it when Croatia started to edge things at the end of the first half. Got better in the second period.

Nico O’Reilly – 6/10

A World Cup debut at 21 and at times that lack of experience showed. Picked off at times, he improved in the second half – but a horror-headed miss.

Elliot Anderson – 7/10

Elliot Anderson is the glue that holds it together (Photo: Getty)

He belongs here, doesn’t he? Covered so much ground on his World Cup debut and was pivotal in England reasserting their authority in the second half.

Declan Rice – 7/10

Kudos to Rice, who responded to Croatia’s growing grip on the game at half-time. The double pivot with Anderson needs work but his second half display was laced with authority

Anthony Gordon – 5/10

After the pre-tournament promise he was a bit too anonymous for my liking, especially in the first half. You’ll never have to worry about work-rate but there was space here that he didn’t exploit.

Yes he gave the ball away in the build-up to Croatia’s leveller but that’s the price you pay for having a genuine match winner in your team. Superb second half.

Noni Madueke – 7/10

An effective riposte for those questioning his selection over Bukayo Saka. Thomas Tuchel loves how direct he is and he had Croatia on the back foot throughout. Lacked end product though.

Harry Kane – 8/10

Where would England be without their inspirational talisman? As close to a guarantee of World Cup goals as you can get. Only blemish on his copybook was that stuttered run up for the first penalty.

Read more

Match report: England storm to win over Croatia to banish big fear over Tuchel’s squad

Daniel Storey: My day with Iran fans ‘behind enemy lines’ at the World Cup

Subs

Marcus Rashford – 8/10

Electric cameo – and goal – will give Tuchel food for thought for the Ghana game.

Djed Spence – 6/10

Added energy when he came on at the end.

Marc Guehi – 6/10

He’s a terrific option to have off the bench.

Morgan Rogers – 6/10

England’s finishers are the envy of the rest of the World Cup – stretched Croatia.

Bukayo Saka – 7/10

Will surely reassert himself when his injury worries have eased. Looked great.