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England 4-2 Croatia: World Cup 2026 Group L player ratings
Players
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The Guardian·2 days ago

England 4-2 Croatia: World Cup 2026 Group L player ratings

Jordan Pickford Could have done better with Baturina’s goal. Made crucial late save to keep England ahead but looked shaky. 6

Reece James At fault for losing his man for second equaliser. Dangerous in attack, not so good defensively. 6

Read more Ezri Konsa Struggled in first half. Improved after break but his place could come under pressure from Marc Guéhi. 6

John Stones Looked rusty and made a nervy start. Improved as the game went on, needs minutes badly. 6

Nico O’Reilly Got forward at every opportunity and should have scored from a corner. A work in progress at the back. 7

Elliot Anderson Kept things ticking over nicely in midfield. Excellent ball to set up Bellingham’s goal. 8

Declan Rice Produced pinpoint corner for Kane’s header. Not his usual dominant self in midfield and looks fatigued after a long season. 7

Noni Madueke Won England’s penalty and looked very dangerous down right flank in place of Bukayo Saka. 8

Jude Bellingham Guilty of losing the ball in buildup to Croatia’s first goal. But made amends in style with a brilliant goal. 7

Anthony Gordon On the periphery for most of the first half and couldn’t make an impact despite his best efforts. 6

Harry Kane Played more like a quarterback than a striker at times but still equalled England’s World Cup finals scoring record. 9

Substitutes: Marcus Rashford (for Gordon 72) Picked his spot brilliantly for his goal that even Livakovic couldn’t get near 7; Morgan Rogers (for Rice 72) Struggled in central midfield and looked far more comfortable further forward. Great ball to set up Spence 6 ; Bukayo Saka (for Madueke 72) A surprise to see him given injury concerns but played part in Rashford’s clincher 7 ; Djed Spence (for Bellingham 80) Should have scored moments after coming on but denied by Livakovic 6 ; Marc Guéhi (for Stones 87) A late introduction when the game was already won 6.

Dominik Livakovic had a busy night in Croatia’s goal, making a string of saves. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters

View image in fullscreen Dominik Livakovic had a busy night in Croatia’s goal, making a string of saves. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters Croatia (3-4-2-1) Dominik Livakovic Off his line too early for penalty but some unbelievable stops to keep a rampant England at bay. 9

Josip Sutalo Didn’t know whether to track Kane when he dropped deep and was caught out on more than one occasion. 5

Luka Vuskovic The teenager lost sight of Kane for England’s second goal but Tottenham have a real prospect on their hands. 7

Josko Gvardiol The Manchester City defender had his hands full with Madueke. 6

Josip Stanisic A lively presence down the right flank for Croatia and often got the better of O’Reilly. 7

Luka Modric A surprise to see him give away an early penalty for fouling Madueke. But still oozes class despite his advancing years. 7

Mario Pasalic Decent strike went just wide at the end of first half but lost out in midfield battle. 6

Ivan Perisic Such a clever header to set up the second equaliser. Has incredible energy for a 37-year-old. 7

Petar Sucic Brilliant assist for Baturina’s goal, missed a great chance late on after Pickford fumble. 7

Read more Martin Baturina Took his goal brilliantly and the Como forward caused England problems with direct approach. 7

Petar Musa The FC Dallas striker volleyed past Pickford with aplomb and was a real handful for England’s defenders. 7

Substitutes: Mateo Kovacic (for Modric 58) Couldn’t wrestle back control other than for a five minute period 6 ; Marco Pasalic (for Vuskovic 66) Almost equalised not long after coming on but was denied by Pickford 6 ; Igor Matanovic (for Musa 66) Could do nothing about Rashford’s goal after Croatia were carved open 6 ; Nikola Vlasic (for Baturina 78) Tried to inject some urgency to Croatia’s attack in the final stages 6 ; Andrej Kramaric (for Mario Pasalic 79) A real handful when he came on for last 10 minutes but couldn’t find equaliser 7.

Sources: The Guardian

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