World Cup 2026: Marcus Rashford to start v Ghana? England v Croatia goals, highlights & reaction

'England can do better to prevent it'

England 4-2 Croatia

Wayne Rooney

Former England striker

We could do so much better with the first goal.

I think there were a few elements. Jude [Bellingham] is a bit flat-footed and the defender comes in and wins the ball. I think John Stones can stay on his feet. There's no real danger and [Jordan] Pickford is in a good position, but he doesn't stay on his feet. He gambles and when he dives in and gambles and it means [Nico] O'Reilly has to go across. It's a nice set and good cut back and nice finish.

Could Jordan Pickford do a bit better? I don't know. He gets a full hand on it. I know it's quick. It's a good goal from a Croatia point of view but there's things England can do better to prevent it.

I'm always critical of goalkeepers. I think if Jordan is getting a hand on it like he does then he'll be disappointed.

'England played into Croatia's hands'

England 4-2 Croatia

Micah Richards

Former England defender

If you look at the goals Croatia scored, both could have been avoided. What England did was played into their hands and allowed them to get their technical players on the ball and do what they wanted to do.

In terms of energy England were all over Croatia, so if you get ten or fifteen yards further forward, you don't even get into those situations. Having the flexibility of the energy off the bench is going to be pivotal going forward.

Should Tuchel stick with Stones and Konsa?

England 4-2 Croatia

John Stones and Ezri Konsa were handed the nod at the heart of England’s defence by Thomas Tuchel but it was far from a settled display from the duo as England conceded twice in the first half against Croatia.

Stones, who found minutes hard to come by at Manchester City last season, saw plenty of the ball and took on much of the responsibility in building from the back, but that came with risk at times.

Konsa, a regular for Tuchel since taking charge, showed flashes of his usual composure but also looked short of rhythm alongside Stones.

So does Tuchel stick with the two defenders for Ghana? Or should Marc Guahi be brought in to steady things in the next game?

'It is about the team' - Gordon

England 4-2 Croatia

England

England's Anthony Gordon, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about making his World Cup debut: "It has been a crazy couple of weeks and that just topped it off. First World Cup game, something I have dreamed about as a kid.

"Special, but it is not about me. Self-centredness is a disease and I don't want to be a part of that.

"It is about the team. Rashy [Marcus Rashford] came on and made an impact, Bukayo [Saka] and Morgan [Rogers]. It is a collective."

On the game: "A difficult first half - their goal came from nowhere and stunned us a little bit. We came out really strong in the second half and got what we wanted. They were really good and that can't be underestimated when you look at the game."

Rashford makes an impact

England 4-2 Croatia

Simon Stone

BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter

Scoring a goal and making a pretty positive impact when he came on as substitute for England last night won't have done Marcus Rashford any harm.

On July 1, Rashford will revert to being a Manchester United player after Barcelona opted against triggering a £26m clause to buy the 28-year-old.

United say they want £40m for Rashford, who has two years left on his £325,000-a-week contract.

They also say they will not entertain another loan deal with Barcelona, which is what the La Liga giants want.

Clearly, United can't force Rashford to go anywhere he doesn't want to - and his salary rules out all but a few clubs anyway.

As it stands, United are expecting the player to return to them after the mandatory three-week post-World Cup break, which would be just in time for a training camp in the Republic of Ireland.

There is a lot of time yet for Rashford's club future to be resolved, but impacts like last night have to be viewed as a positive.

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