England’s captain Harry Kane and striker Jude Bellingham lauded manager Thomas Tuchel’s half-time speech after they registered a 4-2 win against Croatia in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 at Dallas Stadium, Arlington on Wednesday.

England went into the break at 2-2, but they were able to turn the tables in the second half. Kane scored a brace in the first half but Croatia was able to equalise on both occasions.

However, Jude Bellingham scored right after the break whereas Marcus Rashford put the game to bed as he scored in the 85th minute.

England captain Kane told ITV: “I thought it was a game of two halves. I thought first half we were OK but really disappointed to concede the way we did, the way we dropped off.

“Credit to the manager. The manager gave us a speech at halftime, just to say if we lose we lose, but we lose in our way.

“You saw that the way we came out in the second half, we came out full gas. They couldn’t live with it and that’s the level we have to set every game.

“Credit to everyone. The first game of the tournament. A great result against a tough side.”

The England skipper hailed the team’s intensity, especially in the second half.

Kane added: “The intensity we went at — I think that’s our biggest strength. We are going to have to use that more this World Cup.”

Jude Bellingham, who scored England’s third goal, also hailed Thomas Tuchel’s half-time pep talk.

He told ITV: “It wasn’t one of those where there was a big drama — he wasn’t standing up shouting. It was just what the team needed.

“We have a mature group, we have great leaders in there. Everyone knew the level we had to get to and why we weren’t hitting it. We were very clear in the second half, and the early goal gave us the platform.”

He added, “The second half especially, we really showed what we are about. We created a nicer rhythm and that’s where we saw the best of us.”

England will next take on Ghana in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in Group L on Tuesday.