England Player Ratings and Takeaways from 4-2 World Cup Win Over Croatia

Jude Bellingham — 8/10

It was a game of two halves for Bellingham. He lost possession in the build-up to Croatia's first equaliser but more than made amends by scoring a stunning solo goal just minutes into the second half, putting England 3-2 ahead and effectively changing the momentum of the match. The game also marked his 16th major tournament appearance, a new record for a European player before turning 23 .

Noni Madueke — 8/10

A surprise starter on the right wing ahead of Bukayo Saka, Madueke was one of England's brightest performers. His direct running caused constant problems, and it was his positive surge to the byline that won the early penalty for Kane's opener. His performance has given Tuchel a genuine selection headache going forward .

Marcus Rashford — 7/10

Introduced from the bench, Rashford made the points safe with a composed finish in the second half to make it 4-2, capping off a dominant period for England .

Bukayo Saka — 7/10

Also a substitute, Saka provided the assist for Rashford's goal with a calm pass across the box, adding pace and ingenuity to the attack after his introduction .

Declan Rice — 6/10

A solid but unspectacular presence in midfield. He provided the corner for Kane's second goal but, like much of the team, struggled to shield the back line effectively during Croatia's best spells .

John Stones — 6/10

Recorded the best defensive rating among England's back four (Sofascore 6.4), but was part of a unit that lacked cohesion and conceded two avoidable goals .

Ezri Konsa — 5-6/10

Endured a difficult World Cup debut. He lost Ivan Perisic for Croatia's second equaliser just before half-time and was frequently drawn out of position. His starting place is widely considered under threat from Marc Guehi for the next match against Ghana .

Reece James — 5-6/10

Struggled to impose himself at right-back and registered the lowest defensive rating in the back line (Sofascore 5.9). Was moved into central midfield later in the game, where he looked slightly more comfortable .

Jordan Pickford — 5/10

Got a hand to Martin Baturina's long-range strike for Croatia's first goal but was unable to keep it out. He looked unsettled at times, though he did make a good save later in the match to deny Mario Pašalić .

Key Match Takeaways

Tuchel’s Half-Time Reset Made the Difference

With the score locked at 2-2 after a frenetic first half, Tuchel delivered what Kane later described as a stern half-time team talk, telling his players to simply "go for it". The response was immediate: Bellingham restored England's lead within minutes of the restart, and the team never looked back, playing with far greater control and purpose in the second period .

Defensive Concerns Are Genuine

England twice took the lead in the first half and twice Croatia pegged them back. Martin Baturina's rocket from distance and Petar Musa's close-range finish on the stroke of half-time both exposed a lack of defensive cohesion. Tuchel is expected to consider changes for the next group game against Ghana on June 23, with Marc Guehi the clear candidate to step in for Konsa in central defence .

Attacking Depth Is a Major Weapon

While Kane and Bellingham grabbed the headlines, England's bench made a decisive contribution. Saka's assist and Rashford's goal after the 70th minute highlighted the squad's attacking depth—a significant asset as the tournament progresses into the knockout stages .

Kane’s Record-Breaking Chase Continues

Kane is now one goal away from becoming England's outright all-time top scorer at World Cup finals, having drawn level on 10 goals. His all-round performance, blending clinical finishing with deep-lying creativity, suggests the record will fall sooner rather than later .