And we’re off! England have got their World Cup campaign up and running.
The Three Lions put four past a spirited Croatia, who twice equalised in the first half to firstly cancel out Harry Kane’s retaken penalty and then a thumping header from England’s captain. Thomas Tuchel opted to start Jude Bellingham and his decision paid off, with the midfielder sparking a swashbuckling second half by scoring shortly after the restart.
Marcus Rashford came off the bench as England’s subs made their presence felt. There will, however, be concerns. Both of Croatia’s goals exposed England’s defence which lacks tournament experience, while Declan Rice limped off as he was substituted.
Follow the Mirror’s live coverage right here.
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That’s it from us!
You can get more reaction to England’s emphatic win, Portugal’s shock draw and the overnight fixtures on our live World Cup blog.
Check out five talking points from England 4-2 Croatia here.
John Cross’ post-match report.
Thank you and goodnight.
(Image: Alex Pantling – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Thomas Tuchel speaking to ITV: “I think I said, ‘Even if we lose, it will not change my perception of the last 17 days, but let’s do it our way. We’re too focussed on protecting… Anyway, what we don’t have at the moment’. I just encouraged them to go for it.”
Nathan Ridley17th Jun23:38 BST
Fans are rejoicing at Wembley after the result.
Michael Dunhill, 34, said: “We can go all the way this year. It’s amazing.”
Dad Paul Adcock, 56, said: “That was amazing. We smashed it. Harry Kane is a hero.”
Isaac Crowson17th Jun23:36 BST
England fans will be drinking the bars dry tonight!
(Image: Alex Pantling – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Since 1998, England have a 75 per cent win ratio in matches shown by the BBC during World Cups. That is made up of 12 wins, a draw and three defeats.
The Three Lions’ win rate drops to just 18 per cent for matches shown on ITV – comprising just three victories, six draws and eight losses. ITV has screened many of the nation’s lowest moments including the heartbreaking 2018 Croatia loss and humiliating Euro 2016 exit at the hands of Iceland.
England will also hope they have finally buried the dreaded curse of ITV. Fans’ hearts sank when they saw the traditionally unlucky broadcaster was screening the opener.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun23:21 BST
Zlatan Ibrahimovic speaking to Fox Sports: “Harry Kane scored two goals but what I liked the most is he blocked a shot in his own area in the last few minutes.
“When you see a top player defend like he does, the sacrifice – he wants to win. He’s prepared to do things a star wouldn’t do normally.”
Nathan Ridley17th Jun23:20 BST
Harry Kane speaking to ITV: “I thought it was a game of two halves. First half, we were OK.
“Really disappointed to concede in the way we did, I thought we dropped off. Credit to the manager, he gave us a speech at half-time and said if we lose, we lose in our way and I think we saw that in the way we came out in the second half.
“We went full gas and they couldn’t live with it. Credit to everyone for the first game of the tournament.”
Nathan Ridley17th Jun23:17 BST
Wayne Rooney speaking to BBC Sport: “I loved it. I thought it was a great performance.
“They can do a little better with the two goals [they conceded] but so positive and getting to the ball, creating chances, making it hard for Croatia to get out. That was as exciting a first game of a tournament I’ve seen for a long time.”
Nathan Ridley17th Jun23:13 BST
Let us know how you think England’s players fared below.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun23:00 BST
England win their World Cup opener!
The Three Lions built on a suspect first half to blow Croatia away, with Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford supplementing Harry Kane’s double.
Next up: Ghana on Tuesday in Boston.
But make sure to stay tuned for post-match reaction.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun23:00 BST
Harry Kane in the way to block with his midriff as Josko Gvardiol tries for a consolation goal.
A captain’s performance – his penalty ‘miss’ well and truly remedied.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:58 BST
“England ’til I die” rings out around AT&T Stadium.
These travelling fans won’t forget this game in a hurry.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:55 BST
You’d imagine both teams would settle for full-time now…
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:54 BST
What a night this has turned out to be!
(Image: Aric Becker/AFP via Getty Images)
England make their final substitution.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:51 BST
Declan Rice was spotted limping after being substituted in England’s clash against Croatia.
Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel will hope the issue is not serious to avoid denting England’s World Cup hopes.
(Image: Getty Images)
Saka at the heart of it and Rashford with a lovely finish after checking back on his right foot.
England look to have sealed it.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:49 BST
Job done!
Cool as you like from Rashford.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:46 BST
Spence came bursting forward and got on the end of Rogers’ pass, but Livakovic was out quickly to deny his effort on the slide.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:44 BST
Changes all-round.
Nikola Vlasic is on for Martin Buratina while Andrej Kramaric replaces Mario Pasalic.
For England, Bellingham comes off for Djed Spence, with Reece James moving from right-back into midfield.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:41 BST
Jordan Pickford hasn’t had much to do tonight but that’s a decent save to deny Pasalic after Croatia got behind the England defence.
This could be a nervy final 15 minutes of normal time.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:37 BST
Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon and Declan Rice are coming off.
Bellingham will drop back to make Rice’s position next to Anderson in midfield.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:35 BST
Morgan Rogers, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka ready to enter the fray.
But for who?
We’ll soon find out.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:33 BST
A reminder that it’s only 22 degrees in this air conditioned stadium…
The last hydration break disrupted England’s momentum and they’ll be concerned about the same happening.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:31 BST
Zlatko Dalic is ringing in the changes.
Luka Vuskovic and Petar Musa are off for Marco Pasalic and Igor Matanovic.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:26 BST
Thomas Tuchel has been on his feet since the second half began.
Judging by his assistant’s half-time comments, the England boss wasn’t pleased with how his team played in the first half.
But this is sensational from the Three Lions.
Croatia will be relieved that it’s only 3-2.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:24 BST
We haven’t been starved of goals tonight.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:22 BST
Croatia make the first substitution.
Mateo Kovacic is on for Luka Modric, who hasn’t been himself tonight.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:21 BST
Two more interventions!
Croatia are clinging on.
Nathan Ridley17th Jun22:20 BST
Magnificent goalkeeping from Dominik Livakovic.
First the Croatian stops O’Reilly’s header, then Gordon’s and finally Konsa’s.
And he punches away the resulting corner.